Hubert Henry Davies 



THE MOLLUSC 




A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS 



Walter H. Baker 6 Co.; Boston 






THF AMA70NS ^^^^ ^° Three Acts. Seven males, five females. 
Costumes, modern ; scenery, not difficult. Plays 
a full evening. 

mrARINPT MINKTPD Farce in Four Acts. Ten males, nine 
tAKinCI ninidlCK j^^^i^3 Costumes, modem society; 
scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

DANDY DICi[ ^^^'^^ i^ Three Acts. Seven males, four females. 
Costumes, modem ; scenery, two interiors. Plays 
two hours and a halt 

THF flAY I ORD OIIFX ^*^°^^7 ^ Toxa Acts. Four males, ten 
IIU^ UA IfVnv y 1( females. Costumes, modem ; scenery, 
two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. 

HK HnHCP IN AOnPD Comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, four 
HW nUtaC in UWrCII ^^^^j^^ costumes, modem; scenery, 
three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THF nOBRY HOR^ comedy In Three Acts. Ten males, five 
IIU4 UV0U UVJULi females. Costumes, modem; scenery easy. 
Plays two hours and a half. 

IRIS I^'ama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, 
^^^ modem ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

I ADY ROIINTIFni ^^^ ^^ ^^'^^ ^^'^^^ ^^^^ males, seven fe- 
l^iur UVUil UI4 males. Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- 
teriors, not easy. Plays a full evening. 

I FTTY ^'*™* ^ ^°^ ■^*'*^ *''** *"* Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- 
^^ males. Costumes, modern ; scenery complicated. Plays a 

full evening 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

3^altet "0. OBafeer S, Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



PLEASE READ CAREFULLY 

The acting rights of this play are reserved by the author. 
Performance is strictly forbidden unless his express consent 
or that of his agent has first been obtained, and attention is 
called to the penalties provided by law for any infringement of 
his rights, as follovifs : — 



■Sbc. 4966: — Any person publicly performing or representing any 
al composition for which copyright has been obtained. 



dramatic or musical composition for which copyright has been obtair 
without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic or musical composi- 
tion, or his heirs and assigns, shall be liable for damages therefor, such 
damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred 
dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as 
to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and rep- 
resentation be wilful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty 
of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be imprisoned for a period not 
exceeding one year."— U. S. Rrvisbd Statutes, Title 60, Chap. 3. 



The right to perform this play may be obtained by addressing 
Sanger & Jordan, 1428 Broadway, New York, All corre- 
spondence in regard to stage-rights should be addressed to them. 



The Mollusc 



THE FIKST ACT 

SCENE. — Mrs. Baxter's sitting-room. A pleas- 
ant^ well-furnished room. French windows 
open to the garden^ showing flower-beds in full 
bloo7n, it being summer time. As the audience 
looks at the stage there is a door on the left 
hand side at the back, and from the door a few 
stairs lead down to the room. Nearer and 
also on this side is a fireplace. Against this 
same wall is a flower pot on a table contain- 
ing a plant in bloom. There is plenty of 
comfortable furniture about the room. 

It is evening after dinner. Lamps are 
lighted and the windoivs closed. Mr. Bax- 
ter, a man about forty, is seated near a 
lamp reading '■^ Scribner^ s Magazine.''^ The 
door opens and MiSS KoBERTS comes in. 
She is a pretty, honest-looking English girl 
about tiuenty-four. She comes towards Mr. 
Baxter. 



8 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Roberts. 
Mr. Baxter — are you very busy ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
No, Miss Roberts. 

Miss Roberts. 
I want to speak to you, 

Mr. Baxter. 

Yes. "Won't you sit down ? 

Miss Roberts. 
Thank you. {She does 50.] We shall soon 
be beginning the summer holidays, and I think 
after this term you had better have another 
governess for the girls. 

Mr. Baxter. 
You want to leave us ? 

Miss Roberts. 
I don't want to. I shall be very sorry indeed 
to go. You and Mrs. Baxter have always been 
so kind to me. You never treated me like a 
governess. 

Mr. Baxter. 
You have been with us so long. "We have 
come to look on you as one of the family. 



THE MOLLUSC 



Miss Egberts. 



I can't tell you how often I have felt grate- 
ful. I don't want to leave you at all, and it will 
almost break my heart to say good-bye to the 
children, but I must go. 

Mr. Baxter. 

{Anxiously 7\ You are not going to be 
married ? 

Miss Egberts. 

[Smiling.] Oh, no — nothing so interesting 
— I'm sorry to say. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Have you told my wife you think of leaving ? 

Miss Egberts. 

[Slightly troubled.'] I began to tell Mrs. Bax- 
ter several times ; at the beginning of the term 
and three or four times since — but she was al- 
ways too busy or too tired to attend to me ; 
each time she asked me to tell her some other 
time — until I don't quite know what to do. 
That's why I've come to you. 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Slightly disconcerted.] But it's not my place 
to accept your notice. 



10 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Egberts. 
I know — but if I might explain to you 

Mr. Baxter. 



Certainly. 



Miss Egberts. 



It's this. I can't teach the girls anything 
more. Gladys is nearly twelve and Margery, 
though she is only nine, is very bright ; she often 
asks me the most puzzling questions — and the 
truth is — I have not had a good enough educa- 
tion myself to take them any further. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Aren't they rather young to go to school ? 

Miss Egberts. 

I think you need a governess with a college 
education, or, at any rate, some one who doesn't 
get all at sea in algebra and Latin. 

Mr. Baxter. 

I should have thought you might read and 
study. 

Miss Egberts. 

I used to think so — but I find I haven't the 
time. 



THE MOLLUSC H 

Mk. Baxtee. 

{^Thoughtfully.'] Too much is expected of 
you besides your duties as the children's gov- 
erness. I've noticed that — but I don't quite see 
how I can interfere. 

Miss Robeets. 
Please don't trouble, and don't think I'm 
complaining. I am always glad to be of use to 
Mrs. Baxter. It's not for my own sake I want 
a change ; it's for the girls'. This is their most 
receptive age. What they are taught, and how 
they are taught now, will mean so much to them 
later on. I can't bear to think they may suffer 
all their lives through my ignorance. 

Me. Baxtee. 
\_Politely.'\ Oh — I'm sure 

Miss Robeets. 
It's very kind of you to say so — but I know 
what it is. I have suffered myself for want of 
a thorough education. Of course I had the or- 
dinary kind, but I was never brought up to know 
or do anything special. I found myself at a 
great disadvantage when I had to turn to, and 
earn my own living. 

Me. Baxtee. 
Gladys and Margery won't have to earn their 
own livings. 



12 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Roberts. 

No one used to think that I should have to 
earn mine — till one day — I found myself alone 
and poor — after the shipwreck — when my father 

and mother — and my sister 

\_8h6 turns her head away to hide her 
emotion from Mr. Baxter. 

Mr. Baxter. 

{Kindly^ "We shall all miss you very much 
when you go. \Lean/mg towards Iter ?i I shall 
miss you very much. {She nods?\ We've had 
such good walks and talks and games of chess. 

Miss Roberts 
{Brightly ?[ Yes ! I've enjoyed them all. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I hope you have a nice place to go to. 

Miss Roberts. 

{Simply^ I haven't any place to go to. I 
hoped Mrs. Baxter would help me find a new 
situation. I can't get one very well without 
her help, as this is the only place where I have 
ever been a governess, and after being here 
four years — \smiles'\ I must ask Mrs. Baxter to 
give me a good character. 



THE MOLLUSC 1% 

Mr. Baxter. 

{Meditatively?^ Four years — it doesn't seem 
like four years. I don't know though — in some 
ways it seems as if you had always been here. 
{Looking at Miss Egberts.] It is very honest 
of you to give up a good situation for a consci- 
entious reason like this. 

Miss Egberts. 
I don't know. 

Mr. Baxter. 

{As an afterthought.^ I suppose it really is 
your reason for leaving ? 

Miss Egberts. 

{Laughing.'] It's not very nice of you to 
compliment me on my honesty one minute and 
doubt it the next. 

Mr. Baxter. 

{Seriously.'] No, Miss Eoberts, no. I don't 
doubt it. I was only wondering. I thought 
perhaps there might be some other reason why 
you find it difficult to live here — why you 
think it would be wiser not to stay 

Miss Egberts. 
\_Lnnocently.] No 



14 THE MOLLUSC 

Me. Baxtee. 
I see. Well — as I leave everything to do 
with the girls' education to Mrs. Baxter — per- 
haps you will tell her. Tell her what you have 
told me. 

Miss Kobeets. 
And — will you sit in the room ? 

Me. Baxtee. 
Why ? What is going to be the difficulty ? 

Miss Kobeets. 
\Em})arrassed^ I can't explain very well to 
you — but if you wouldn't mind sitting in the 
room. {She rises7\ I think I hear Mrs. Baxter 
coming. 

[Mes. Baxtee enters. She is a pretty 
woman about thirty-five., vague in Iter 
movements and manner of sj 
She comes down the room as she , 



Mes. Baxtee. 
I've been wondering where Scrihner'^s Maga- 
zine is. 

Me. Baxtee. 
I have it. Have you been looking for it ? 

Mes. Baxtee. 
No — not looking — only wondering. 



THE MOLLUSC .15 

Mr. Baxter. 
Do you want it ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 

\^Pleasantly.'\ ]S[ot if you are reading it— 
though I was just half-way through a story, 

Mr. Baxter. 
Do take it. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[^Taking inagazi7ie.~\ Don't you really want 
it? 

[She looks about, selecting the most com- 
fortable chair. 

Mr. Baxter. 

It doesn't matter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Smiling.'] Thank you. [She sits.] Oh, 
Miss Roberts, I wonder if you could get me 
the cushion out of that chair ? 

[Pointing to a chair near a window. 

Miss Roberts. 
Certainly. 

[She brings the rashion to Mrs. Baxter 
and ^places it behind her back. 



l6 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Settling herself.'] Thank you. Now I'm 
quite comfortable — unless I had a footstool. 

Miss Egberts. 
A footstool ? 

[Slie gets a footstool, hrings it to Mrs. 
Baxter and places it under her feet. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[ Without an attempt to move while Miss 
Egberts is doing this.'] Don't trouble, Miss 
Eoberts. I didn't mean you to do that. / could 
have done it. [ When Miss Egberts has placed 
the footstool.] Oh, how kind of you, but you 
ought not to wait on me like this. [Smiles 
sweetly.] The paper-knife, please. Who knows 
where it is? [Miss Egberts takes the paper- 
knife from Mr. Baxter and gives it to Mrs. 
Baxter. To Mr. Baxter.] I didn't see you 
were using it, dear, or I wouldn't have asked 
for it. [To Miss Egberts.] As you're doing 
nothing, would you mind cutting some of these 
pages? I find there are still a few uncut. 
[She gives the magazine and paper-knife to 
Miss Egberts, then says smiling sweetly^ 
Your fingers are so much cleverer than mine. 
[Miss Egberts begins cutting the magazine. 
Mrs. Baxter leans hack comfortably in her 
chair and says to Mr. Baxter.] Why don't 
you get something to do ? 



THE MOLLUSC I7 

Mr, Baxter. 
{Rising?^ I'm going to my room to have a 
smoke. 

[Miss Roberts jptits the magazine on 
the table and goes to Mr. Baxter with 
the pa^er-knife in her hand. 

Miss Roberts. 
No, Mr. Baxter, please, I want you to help 
me out. I want you to stay while I tell Mrs. 
Baxter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
What's all this mystery ? [^Seriously.'] Take 
care you don't snap that paper-knife in two. 
Miss Roberts. 

[Mr. Baxter sits down again. 

Miss Roberts. 
[^To Mrs. Baxter.] I was telling Mr. Bax- 
ter before you came into the room 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{HoldiTig out her hand.^ Give me the paper- 
knife. 

[Miss Roberts gives her the paper-knife^ 
which she examines carefully. 

Miss Roberts. 
I told you at the beginning of the term, and 
several times since 



1 8 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 
It would have been a pity if that paper-knife 
had been snapped in two. [She tool's up pleas- 
antly at Miss Roberts.] Yes, Miss Roberts ? 

Miss Roberts. 

I was saying that I thought 

[Mrs. Baxter drops the paper-knife 
accidentally on thejioor. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Oh, don't trouble to pick it up. [Miss Rob- 
erts picks up the paper-knife and holds it in 
her hand.] Oh, thank you, I didn't mean you 
to do that. 

Miss Roberts. 
I was saying 

Mrs. Baxter. 
It isn't chipped, is it ? 

Miss Roberts. 

{^Nearly losing her temper.'] No, 

[She 'inarches to the table and la/ys the 
paper-knife down. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
It would have been a pity if that paper-knife 
had been chipped. 



THE MOLLUSC 1 9 

Miss Robekts. 
{Facing Mrs. Baxter with determination^ 
and speaking fast and loud.] I said I must 
leave at the end of the term. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Blandly.'] Aren't you happy with us, Miss 
Roberts? 

Miss Roberts. 
Oh, yes, thank you. Very. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Really happy, I mean. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Miss Roberts feels that Gladys and Margery 
are getting too old for her to teach. 

Miss Roberts. 
{Glancing her gratitude to Mr. Baxter for 
helping her.] Yes. {To Mrs. Baxter.] I've 
taught them all I know ; they need some one 
cleverer ; there ought to be a change. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I think you do very nicely. 

Miss Roberts. 
You don't know how ignorant I am. 



20 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 
\SweetlyI\ You do yourself an injustice, dear 
Miss Koberts. 

[Miss Egberts turns apjpealingly to 
Mr. Baxter. 

Mr. Baxter. 
It was the algebra, I think you said. Miss 
Roberts, that you found so especially difficult ? 

Miss Roberts. 
Yes. I've no head for algebra. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Cheerfully?^ Neither have I, but I don't 
consider myself a less useful woman for that. 

Miss Roberts. 
You're not a governess. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Who said I was ? Don't let us wander from 
the point, Miss Roberts. 

[Miss Roberts looks appealingly at 
Mr. Baxter again. 

Mr. Baxter. 

The Latin 

Miss Roberts. 

Yes, I give myself a lesson at night to pass 
on to them in the morning — that's no way to 
do, just keeping a length ahead. 



THE MOLLUSC 21 



Mrs. Baxter. 



Perhaps Mr. Baxter will help you with the 
Latin. Ask him. 

Miss Egberts. 
I'm afraid even that 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Mr. Baxter's a very good Latin scholar. 
. \Smiling at Mr. Baxter.] Aren't you, dear ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Reluctantly ?[ I read Virgil at school. I 
haven't looked at him since. After a time 
one's Latin gets rusty. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Cheerfully :\ Eub it up. We might begin 
now, while you're doing nothing. Ask Miss 
Koberts to bring you the books. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Oh, no, dear. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Why shouldn't we improve our minds ? 

{She leans her head hack on the cushions. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Not after dinner. {To Miss Roberts.] I 
don't see why you want to teach the girls 
Latin. 



22 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Egberts. 
Mrs. Baxter said she wished them to have a 
smattering of the dead languages. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Complacently^ I learnt Latin. I remem- 
ber so well standing up in class and reciting 
" Hie — haec— hoc" — accusative " hinc — hone — 
hue." 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Correcting lier?^ Hoc. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Hue, my dear, in my book. And the ablative 
was hibus. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Hibus ! 

[Mr. Baxter and Miss Roberts hoth 
laugh. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

{Making wild serious guesses.'] Hobibus — 
no, wait a minute — that's wrong — don't tell 
me. {She closes her eyes and mu)'mu?'s.'\ Abla- 
tive — ho — hi— hu — no; it's gone. {She opens 
her eyes and says cheerj^ully.] Never mind. 
{To Miss Roberts.] What were we talking 
about ? 

Miss Roberts. 

My ignorance of Latin. 



THE MOLLUSC 23 

Mks. Baxter. 
I can't say that my hioioledge of it has ever 
been of much service to me. I think Mr. Baxter 
is quite right. Why teach the girls Latin? 
Suppose we drop it from the curricuhim and 
take up something else on Latin mornings 

Miss Egberts. 
[Earnestly to Mrs. Baxter.] I wonder if 
you realize how much all this means to the 
girls ? Their future is so important. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[ With the idea of 2nitting Miss Roberts in 
her' place.'] Of course it is important, Miss 
Roberts. It is not necessary to tell a mother 
how important her girls' future is — but I don't 
suppose we need settle it this evening. [ Wish- 
ing to put an end to the discussion, she rises, 
walls towards the table on which stands the 
flower pot and says amiably.'] How pretty 
these flowers look growing in this pot. 

Miss Roberts. 
Would you rather we discussed it to-morrow, 
Mrs. Baxter ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
To-mori'ow will be my brother's first day 
here, and he wdll have so much to tell me after 
his long absence. I don't think to-morrow 
would be a good day. 



24 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Egberts. 

The day after ? 

Mes. Baxter. 

Oh, really, Miss Roberts, I can't be pinned 
down like that. [She moves towards Mr. Bax- 
ter.] Aren't you and Miss Roberts going to 
play chess ? 

Mr. Baxter. 

{Rising^ Miss Roberts seems so anxious to 
have this thing decided. I told her that any- 
thing to do with the girls' education was left to 
you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Need it be settled this minute ? 

Miss Roberts. 

[Going towards Mrs. Baxter.] I've tried 
so often to speak to you about it and some- 
thing must be done. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Resigning herself.'] Of course — if you insist 
upon it — I'll do it now. I'll do anything any 
of you wish. [She sits down.~\ I've had a 
slight headache all day — it's rather worse since 
dinner ; I really ought to be in bed, but I 
wanted to be up when Tom comes. If I begin 



THE MOLLUSC 2$ 

to discuss this now I shall be in no state to re- 
ceive him — but, of course — if you insist 

Miss Egberts. 
I don't want to tire you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
It would tu*e me very much. 

Miss Egberts. 
Then I suppose we must put it off again. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Smiling.'] I think that would be best. We 
must thrash it out properly — some day. 

\_/She leans back in her chair. 

Mr. Baxter. 
[To Miss Egberts, sighing.] I suppose we 
may as well play chess ? 

Miss Egberts. 
[ With resignation.] I suppose so. 

[Mr. Baxter and Miss Egberts sit at 
a table and arrange the chess men. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Finding her place in her magazine., begins to 
read. After a slight pause, she says.] What 
an abominable light ! I can't possibly see to 
read. I suppose, Miss Eoberts, you couldn't 
possibly carry that lamp over to this table, could 



26 THE MOLLUSC 

you ? [Miss Roberts makes a slight move- 
ment as though she loould fetch the kwij?.'] It's 
too heavy, isn't it ? 

Me. Baxter. 

Much too heavy ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I thought so. I'm afraid I must strain my 
eyes. I can't bear to sit idle. 

Mr. Baxter. 
l^isiiig.] I'll carry the lamp over. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Quickly.'] No, no! You'd spill it. Call 
one of the servants ; wouldn't that be the sim- 
plest plan ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
The simplest plan would be for you to walk 
over to the lamp. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Certainly, dear, if it's too much trouble to 
call one of the servants. [/She rises and carries 
her magazine to a chair hy the lam/p.] I wouldn't 
have said anything about the lamp if I'd thought 
it was going to be such a business to move it. 
[She sits and turns over a ^page or two while 



THE MOLLUSC ^7 

Mr, Baxter, who has returned to his seat, and 
Miss Roberts continue arranging the chess 
hoard. Mrs. Baxter calls gaily over her 
shoulder.'] Haxeyou checkmated Mr. Baxter 
yet, Miss Roberts ? 

Miss Roberts. 
I haven't finished setting the board. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
How slow yon are. \^She turns a page or two 
idly, then says seriously to Mr. Baxter. ] Dear, 
you'll be interested to know that I don't think 
the housemaid opposite is engaged to young 
Locker. I believe it's the cook. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Yqyj interesting, dear. \_To Miss Roberts.] 
It's you to play. 

[After three moves of chess, Mrs. Bax- 
ter says. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Oh, here's such a clever article on wasps. It 
seems that wasps — I'll read you what it says. 
\jSJie clears her throat.'] Wasps 

Mr. Baxter. 
[Plaintively.] Dulcie, dear, it's impossible 
for us to give our minds to the game if you read 
aloud. 



28 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 

\^Amia'bly^ I'm so sorry, dear. I didn't 
mean to disturb you. I think you'd have found 
the article instructive. If you want to read it 
afterwards, it's page 32, if you can remember 
that. " Wasps and all about them." I'll dog- 
ear the page. Oh, I never looked out Tom's 
train. Miss Roberts, you'll find the time-table 
on the hall table. [Miss Egberts rises and 
Mrs. Baxter goes on.] Or if it isn't there, it 

may be 

Miss Roberts. 

[QuicklT/.] I know where it is. [She goes out. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
What has Miss Roberts been saying to you 
about leaving ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
Only what she said to you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I hope she won't leave me before I get suited. 
I shall never find any one else to suit me. I 
don't know what I should do without Miss 
Roberts. 

[Miss Roberta re-enters with small timer 
table. 

Miss Roberts. 
Here it is ! 



THE MOLLUSC 29 

Mrs. Baxter. 

{Cheerfully ^^ Thank you, Miss Roberts, but 
I've just remembered he isn't coming by train 
at all ; he's coming in a motor car. 

Mr. Baxter. 
All the way from London ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Yes, at least I think so. It's all in his letter 
— who knows what I did with Tom's letter ? 

Miss Roberts. 
{Making a slight movement as if to go.] 
Shall I go and look? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Hush. I'm trying to think where I put it. 
{Staring in front of her.] I had it in my hand 
before tea. I remember dropping it — I had it 
again after tea ; I remember thinking it was 
another letter, but it wasn't. That's how I 
know. [The7i to the others.] I'm surprised 
neither of you remembers where I put it. 

Miss Roberts. 
I'd better go and look. {She moves to go. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I think I hear a motor coming. 

{He goes and looks through the window. 



30 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs^ Baxter. 

[//I an injured to7ie.] It's too late now, Miss 
Roberts, Mr. Baxter thinks he hears a motor 
coming. 

Mr. Baxter. 

Yes, it is a car ; I see the lamps. It must be 
Tom. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Smilmg affectionately.'] Dear Tom, how 
nice it will be to see him again. \^To Mr. 
Baxter.] Aren't you going to the hall to 
meet Tom ? 

Mr. Baxter. 

Yes, of course. \^He goes out. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
You've never seen my brother Tom. 

Miss Roberts. 

No, I don't think he's been home since I came 
to you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

No, I was trying to count up this afternoon 
how many years it would be since Tom was 
home. I've forgotten again now, but I know 
I did it ; you'd have been surprised. 



THE MOLLUSC 3 1 

Tom. 
\Outs{de?\ Where is she ? 

{Confused greetings hetween ToM and 
Mr. Baxter are heard. Mrs. Bax- 
ter rises smiling^ and goes towards 
the stairs. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
That's Tom's voice. 

[Tom Kemp enters followed hy Mr. 
Baxter. Tom is a cheerful^ genial, 
high-sjpirited man about forty-five ; he 
conies down-stairs, where Mrs. Bax- 
ter meets him. He takes her in both 
arms and kisses her on each cheek. 

Tom. 
Well, child, how are you — bless you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Oh, Tom, it is nice to see you again. 

Tom. 
{Holding her off and looking at her.] You 
look just the same. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
So do you, Tom. I'm so glad you haven't 
grown fat. 

Tom. 
[Zaughing.] No chance to grow fat out 



32 THE MOLLUSC 

there. Life is too strenuous. {He turns to 
Mr. Baxter and gives him a slap on the hack.] 
Well, Dick, you old duffer. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Tom. 

Tom. 
[ Turning to her.'] Yes ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I want to introduce you to Miss Koberts. 
[Tom gives Miss Roberts a friendly 
hand-shal'e. 

Tom. 
How d'yoii do, Miss Roberts ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Are you very tired, Tom ? 

Tom. 
Tired — no — never tired. {Smiling at Mrs. 
Baxter.] You look splendid. 

\^He holds her hy her shoulders. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Languidly.] I'm pretty well. 

Tom. 
[Spinning Mrs. Baxter round.] Never 
better. 



THE MOLLUSC 33 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Disliking such treatment.~\ I'm pretty well. 
{She wriggles her shoulders and edges 
away. 

Me. Baxter. 
iTo Tom.] Have you dined ? 

Tom. 

Magnificently. Soup — fish — chops — roast 

beef [To Miss Roberts.] You must 

live in Colorado, Miss Roberts, if you want to 
relish roast beef. 

Mr. Baxter. 
But you've driven from London since dinner. 
[To Mrs. Baxter.] I suppose we can raise 
him a supper ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
If the things aren't all put away. 

Tom. 
{Turning from Miss Roberts.] No — see 
here— hold on— I dined at the Inn. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Smiling graciously.'] Oh, I was just going 
to offer to go into the kitchen and cook you 
something myself. [She sits. 



34 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
I was late getting in and I wasn't sure what 
time you dined. \To Mr. Baxter.] Now, 
Dick, tell me the family history. 

Mr. Baxter. 

{Scratching his head, says sloioly.] The 
family history ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[CaUi?ig out suddenly.] His ! Ablative — 
his. 

Tom. 
Eh? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Gravely to ToM.] Hie — haec — hoc. His 
— his — his. 

Tom. 
[Looking blankly at Miss EoBERTS and Mr. 
Baxter.] Whafs the matter ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Smiling as she explains.'] I was giving them 
a Latin lesson before you came. 

Tom. 
[Amused.] You ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Conceitedly.] I never think we were meant 
to spend all our time in frivolous conversation. 



THE MOLLUSC 35 

Tom. 
[Ainused, turning to Mr. Baxter.] Dulcie, 
giving you a Latin lesson ? 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Sadly.'] I suppose she really thinks she was 
by now. 

Tom. 

[WalMng about.'] It's bully to be home 
again. I felt like a kid coming here — slipping 
along in the dark — with English trees and Eng- 
lish hedges and English farms flitting by. No 
one awake but a few English cows, standing in 
the fields — up to their knees in mist. It looked 
like dreams — like that dream I sometimes have 
out there in Colorado. I dream I've just arrived 
in England — with no baggage and nothing on 
but my pyjamas. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
What is he talking about ? 

Miss Eoberts. 
I know what you mean ! 

Tom. 
I guess you've had that dream yourself. No, 
I mean you know how I must have felt. 

Miss Eoberts. 
Like a ghost revisiting its old haunts. 



36 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 

{fitting near Miss Egberts.] Like the 
ghost of the boy I used to be. I thought 
you'd understand. You look as if you Avould. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I'm so glad you haven't married some nasty 
common person in America. 

Tom. 

{CTiaffi.ngly to her.] I thought you would be. 
That's why I didn't do it. 

[Ife talks to Miss Egberts. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

{Laughing as she turns to say to Mr. Bax- 
ter.] He's always so full of fun. 

Miss Egberts. 

/ once dreamed I was in Colorado— but it 
was only from one of those picture post-cards 
you sent. I have never travelled. 

Tom. 
And how did Colorado look in your dreams ? 

Miss Egberts. 

{Recalling her vision of Coloi'odo.'] For- 
ests 



THE MOLLUSC 3/ 

Tom. 
That's right. Pine foi^ests stretching away, 
away — down below there in the valley — a sea 
of tree-tops waving — waving — waving for miles. 

Miss Roberts. 
And mountains. 

Tom. 
Chains of mountains — great blue mountains 
streaked with snow — range beyond range. Oh ! 
it's grand ! it's great ! 

Miss Roberts. 

I should love to see it. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I think you are much better off where you 
are, Miss Roberts. 

Tom. 
It's great, but it's not gentle like this. It 
doesn't make you want to cry. It only makes 
you want to say your prayers. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Laughing as she turns to Mr. Baxter.] 
Isn't he droll ? 

Miss Roberts. 
I know what you mean. 



38 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
You know. I thought you^d know. Here it 
comes so close to you ; it's so cozy and personal. 
They've nothing like our orchards and lawns 
out there. {Rising suddenly^ I want to smell 
the garden. {He goes to the 

Mr. Baxter. 



Mrs. Baxter. 
Don't open the window ; we shall all catch 
cold. 

Tom. 
{Laughing^ as he comes toicards Mrs. Bax- 
ter.] Dear old Dulcie, same as ever. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Smiling. 'I All of us are not accustomed to 
living in tents and huts and such places. 

Tom. 
What are you going to do with me in the 
morning ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
We might all take a little walk, if it's a nice 
day. 

Tom. 
A little walk ! 



THE MOLLUSC 39 

Mrs. Baxter. 
If we're not too tired after the excitement of 
your arrival. 

Tom. 
What time's breakfast ? 

Mr. Baxter. 

Quarter to nine. 

Mrs, Baxter. 
We drift down about half-past. 

Tom. 
What ! You've got an English garden, and 
it's summer time and you aren't all running 
about outside at six o'clock in the morning ? 

Miss Roberts. 
I am. 

Tom. 
You are ? Yes, I thought you would be. 
You and I must have a walk before breakfast 
to-morrow morning. 

Miss Eoberts. 
[Smiling^ Yery well. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Don't overdo yourself, Miss Roberts, before 
you begin the duties of the day. \To Tom.] 
Miss Roberts is the children's governess. 



40 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
Oh? \To Miss Egberts.] Do you rap 
them over the knuckles ? And stick them in 
the corner ? 

Miss Egberts. 
\Answering him in the same spirit of rail- 
lery.'] Oh, yes — pinch them and slap them 
and box their ears. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

{^Leaning forward in her chair, thinking this 
may he true.] I hope you don't do anything of 
the sort, Miss Eoberts. 



Oh, no ! not really, Mrs. Baxter. [^She rises.'] 
think I'll say good-night. 



Miss Egberts. 
Oh, no ! not 
I 

Tgm. 
Don't go to bed yet, Miss Eoberts. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Yawning.] It's about time we all went. 

Tgm. 
[To Mrs. Baxter.] You, too ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
What time is it ? 



the mollusc 41 

Tom. 

{Looking at his watch.'] Twenty minutes 
past ten. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
How late. 

Tom. 
Call that late ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Ten is our bedtime. \_She rises.'] Come 
along, Miss Roberts ; we shan't be fit for any- 
thing in the morning if we don't bustle off to 
bed. [She sujpjpresses a yawn. 

Miss Roberts. 
Good-night, Mr. Baxter. 

{She shakes hands with him. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Good-night. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Shaking hands with ToM.] Good-night. 

Tom. 
Good-night, Miss Roberts ; sleep well. 

Miss Roberts. 
I always do. 



42 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Will you give me the magazine off the table, 
Miss Roberts, to take up-stairs ? [Tom goes to 
the table and hands the magazine to Miss Rob- 
erts, who hrings it to Mrs. Baxter. To Miss 
Roberts.] You and I needn't say good-night. 
We shall meet on the landing. 

[^Turns over thejpages of the magazine. 

Miss Roberts. 
Good-night, everybody. 

Tom. 
{^Following Miss Roberts to the foot of the 
stairs.'] Good-night, Miss Roberts. [Miss Rob- 
erts goes out.] Nice girl, Miss Roberts. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
She suits me very well. 

Mr. Baxter. 
She says she is going to leave. 

Tom. 
Leave — Miss Roberts mustn't leave I 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I don't think she meant it. Don't sit up too 
late, Tom, and don't hurry down in the morn- 
ing. Would you like your breakfast in bed ? 



THE MOLLUSC 43 

Tom. 
\Laughing?^ In bed ? 

Mes. Baxter. 
I thought you'd be so worn out after your 
journey. 

Tom. 
Heavens, no, that's nothing. Good-night, lit- 
tle sister. \IIe kisses her. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
Good-night, Tom. It's so nice to see you 
again. \_Then to Me. Baxter.] Try not to 
disturb me when you come up-stairs. [^Speak- 
ing through a yawn as she goes towards the 
door.'] Oh, dear, I'm so sleepy. [She goes out. 

Me. Baxter. 
[Smiling at ToM.] Well, Tom ! 

Tom. 
[Smiling at Mr. Baxter.] Well, Dick, how's 
everything ? Business pretty good ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
So so. 

Tom. 
That's nice. 



44 THE MOLLUSC 

Mr. Baxter. 

I don't go into the city every day now, two 
or three times a week. I leave my partners to 
attend to things the rest of the time — they seem 
to get on just as well without me. 

Tom. 
I dare say they would. \Taking out his cig- 
arette case.'] I suppose I may smoke ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
^Doubtfully.] Here ? 

Tom. 
Well, don't you smoke here ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
You may. She won't smell it in the morning. 
[Tom laughs OAid takes out a cigarette?^ Tom, 
if ever you get married don't give in to your 
wife's weaknesses in the iirst few days of the 
honeymoon — you'll want to then, but don't. 
It becomes a habit. What's the use of saying 
that to you ? I suppose you'll never marry 
now. {He sits down. 

Tom. 

[ Quite annoyed^ Why not ? Why shouldn't 
I marry ? I don't see why you think I shan't 
marry. How long has she been here ? 

{He lights a cigarette. 



THE MOLLUSC 45 

Mr. Baxter. 
Who? 

Tom. 

Miss Roberts. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Oh! 

Tom. 

Weren't we talking of Miss Eoberts ? 

Mr. Baxter. 

Tom. 
Oh, well, we are now. 

Mr. Baxter. 
She's been here about four years. I'm so 
sorry she wants to leave. I don't want her to 
go at all, 

Tom. 
Nor do I. Rather nice for you, Dick. A 
pretty wife and a pretty governess. 

\^He nudges him. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Tom, don't do that. 

[He defends himself hy putting up his 
hands. 



46 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
Yery well, I won't. 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Emharrassed and slightly annoyed.l Why 
do you say that? 

Tom. 
Only chafing. [^He sees the chess-hoardP^ 
Who's been playing chess ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
Miss Koberts and I. 

Tom. 
Does Miss Roberts play chess ? I must get 
her to teach me — let me see if I can remember 
any of the moves. SJIe sits hy the table and 
moves the chess men about idly as he talks.'] She 
is far too good to be your governess. 

Mr. Baxter. 
{^EntMising.'] You've noticed what an un- 
usual woman she is ? 

Tom. 
Charming ! 

Mr. Baxter. 
Isn't she ? 

Tom. 
And so pretty ! 



THE MOLLUSC 47 

Mr. Baxter. 
Very pretty. 

Tom. 
She'll make a good wife for some man. 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Reluctantly?^ I suppose so — some time. 

Tom. 
I should make love to her if I lived in the 
same house. 

Mr. Baxter. 
But if you were married ? 

Tom. 

I'm not ! 

Mr, Baxter. 

\Slowly and thoughtfully. 1 No. 

[There is a moment'' s pause. 

Tom. 
Let's change the subject, and talk about Miss 
Koberts. Tell me things about her. 

Mr. Baxter. 
She's an orphan. 

Tom. 
Poor girl. 



48 the mollusc 

Mr. Baxter. 
She's no near relations. 

Tom. 
Lucky fellow. 

Mr. Baxter. 
She's wonderful with the children. 

Tom. 
Make a good mother. 

Mr. Baxter. 
And so nice, so interesting, so good, such a 
companion. I can't find a single fault in her. 
She's a woman in a thousand, in a million. 

Tom. 
I say, you'd better not let Dulcie hear you 
talk like that. 

Mr. Baxter. 
{SeriousVy^ I don't. [Tom laughs.'] I was 
only saying that to show you how well she 
suits us. 

Tom. 
Of course. 

Mr. Baxter. 
How well she suits Dulcie. 



THE MOLLUSC 49 

Tom. 

Oh, Dulcie, of course. 

Mk. Baxter. 
I can't think what Dulcie will do without 
her; she's got so used to her. Miss Roberts 
waits on Dulcie hand and foot. 

Tom. 
{Indig7WMtly\ What a shame! 

Mr. Baxter. 
Isn't it ? 

Tom. 
Why should Dulcie be waited on hand and 
foot? 

Mr. Baxter. 
I don't know. She's so — well, not exactly ill. 

Tom. 
I'll ? She's as strong as a horse, always was. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Yes, I can't remember when she had any- 
thing really the matter with her, but she always 
seems so tired — keeps wanting to lie down — 
she's not an invalid, she's a 

Tom. 
She's a mollusc. 



50 THE MOLLUSC 

Mr. Baxter. 
What's that ? 

Tom. 
MoUusca, subdivision of the animal kingdom. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I know that. 

Tom. 
I don't know if the Germans have remarked 
that many mammalia display characteristics 
commonly assigned to mollusca. I suppose the 
scientific explanation is that a mollusc once 
married a mammal and their descendants are 
the human mollusc. 

Mr. Baxter. 
[Much ])uzzled?^ What are you talking 
about ? 

Tom. 
People who are like a mollusc of the sea, 
which clings to a rock and lets the tide flow 
over its head. People who spend all their en- 
ergy and ingenuity in sticking instead of mov- 
ing, in whom the instinct for what I call mol- 
luscry is as dominating as an inborn vice. And 
it is so catching. Why, one mollusc will infect 
a whole household. We all had it at home. 
Mother was quite a famous mollusc in her time. 



THE MOLLUSC 5 1 

She was bedridden for fifteen years, and then, 
don't you remember, got up to Dulcie's wed- 
ding, to the amazement of everybody, and 
tripped down the aisle as Kvely as a kitten, 
and then went to bed again till she heard of 
something else she wanted to go to — a garden 
party or something. Father, he was a mol- 
lusc, too ; he called it being a conservative ; he 
might just as well have stayed in bed, too. 
Ada, Charlie, Emmeline, all of them were 
more or less moUusky, but Dulcibella was the 
queen. You won't often see such a fine healthy 
specimen of a mollusc as Dulcie. I'm a born 
mollusc ! 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Surprised?^ You ? 

Tom. 

Yes, I'm energetic now, but only artificially 
energetic. I have to be on to myself all the 
time; make myself do things. That's why I 
chose the vigorous West, and wander from camp 
to camp. I made a pile in Leadville. I gam- 
bled it all away. I made another in Cripple 
Creek. I gave it away to the poor. If I made 
another, I should chuck it away. Don't you see 
why ? Give me a competence, nothing to work 
for, nothing to worry about from day to day — 
why I should become as famous a mollusc as 
dear old mother was. 



52 THE MOLLUSC 

Mr. Baxter. 
Is moUuscry the same as laziness ? 

Tom. 
No, not altogether. The lazy flow with the 
tide. The mollusc uses forces to resist pressure. 
It's amazing the amount of force a mollusc will 
use, to do nothing, when it would be so much 
easier to do something. It's no fool, you know, 
it's often the most artful creature, it wriggles 
and squirms, and even fights from the instinct 
not to advance. There are wonderful things 
about molluscry, things to make you shout with 
laughter, but it's sad enough, too — it can ruin a 
life so, not only the life of the mollusc, but all 
the lives in the house where it dwells. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Is there no cure for molluscry ? 

Tom. 
Well, I should say once a mollusc always a 
mollusc. But it's like drink, or any other vice. 
If grappled with it can be kept under. If left 
to itself, it becomes incurable. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Is Dulcie a very advanced case ? 

Tom. 
Oh, very 111 



THE MOLLUSC 53 

Mr. Baxter. 
Oh! 

Tom. 
But let us hope not incurable. You know bet- 
ter than I how far she has gone. Tell me. 

Mr. Baxter. 

[^Seriously. ^ She's certainly getting worse. 
For instance, I can remember the time when 
she would go to church twice a Sunday, walk 
there and back ; now she drives once, and she 
keeps an extra cushion in the pew, sits down for 
the hymns and makes the gu-ls find her places. 

Tom. 
Do you ever tell her not to mollusc so much ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
I used to, but I've given up now. 

Tom. 
Oh, you must never give up. 

Mr. Baxter. 
The trouble is she thinks she's so very active. 

Tom. 
Molluscs always think that. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Dulcie thinks of something to be done and 



54 THE MOLLUSC 

tells me to do it, and then, by some mental 
process, which I don't pretend to grasp, she 
thinks she's done it herself. D'you think she 
does that to humbug me ? 

Tom. 

I believe there's no dividing line between the 
conscious and subconscious thoughts of mol- 
luscs. She probably humbugs herself just as 
much as she humbugs you. 

Me. Baxtee. 
Oh! 

Tom. 

You must be firm with her. The next time 
she tells you to do a thing tell her to do it 
herself. 

Me. Baxtee. 

I tried that. The other day, for instance, she 
wanted me to set a mouse-trap in her dressing- 
room ; well, I was very busy at the time, and I 
knew there were no mice there, so I refused. 
It meant getting the cheese and everything. 

Tom. 

[Trying not to appear amused?^ Of course. 
And what did she say when you refused to set 
the mouse-trap ? 



THE MOLLUSC 55 

Mr. Baxter. 
She began to make me sorry for her ; she has 
no end of ways of making me sorry for her, 
and I've a very tender heart ; but that day I 
just didn't care. I had the devil in me, so I 
said — set it yourself. 

Tom. 
Bravo. 

Mr. Baxter. 
We got quite unpleasant over it. 

Tom. 
And which of you set the mouse-trap in the 
end? 

Mr. Baxter. 

Miss Roberts. [Tom rises and moves away 
to hide his amusement from Mr. Baxter.] It's 
always like that. She makes Miss Roberts do 
everything. For instance, Dulcie used to play 
chess with me of an evening, now she tells Miss 
Roberts to. She used to go walks with me, 
now she sends Miss Roberts. Dulcie was never 
energetic, but we used to have some good times 
together ; now I can't get her to go anywhere 
or do anything. 

Tom. 
Not very amusing for you. 



56 THE MOLLUSC 

Mr. Baxter. 
It does rather take the fun out of everything. 

Tom. 
How did you come to let her get so bad ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
[Simply.'] I fell in love with her. That put 
me at her mercy. 

\_There is a moments silence^ then ToM 
says with decision. 

Tom. 
/must take her in hand. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I wish you would. 

Tom. 
I'll make her dance. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Don't be hard on her. 

Tom. 
No, but firm. I'll show her what firmness 
is. A brother is the best person in the world 
to undertake the education of a mollusc. His 
firmness will be tempered with affection, and 
his affection won't be undermined with senti- 



THE MOLLUSC $7 

mentality. I shall start in on Dulcie the first 
thing to-morrow morning. 

Me. Baxter. 
And now what do you say to getting our 
candles ? 

Tom. 

[^Folloioing Mr. Baxter towards the stairs.'] 
Come along. I'm ready — must have a good 
night's rest if I'm to tackle Dulcie in the morn- 
ing. I don't anticipate any trouble. A woman 
isn't difficult to deal with if you take her the 
right way. Leave her to me, old man. You 
just leave her to me ! 

{TJiey go up the stairs as the ctirtain 
falls. 



THE SECOND ACT 

SCENE. — The same scene on the following morn- 
ing. The French windows are wide open, 
displaying a view of the garden bathed in su7i- 
shine. 

Mes. Baxter is lounging in an armchair read- 
ing a novel. ToM enters with an enormous 
hunch of wild flowers ^ foxgloves, meadow- 
sweet, etc. 

Tom. 
Look! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Oh, how pretty! We must put them in 
water. Where's Miss Koberts ? 

Tom. 
In the schooh'oom. They are at their lessons. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Then we must wait. What a pity. I hope 
they won't die. 

Tom. 
Is Miss Eoberts the only person in this house 
who can put these flowers in water ? 

58 



THE MOLLUSC 59 

Mrs. Baxter. 
The servants are always busy in the morning. 

Tom. 
"Why can't you do it ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
/have other things to do. 

Tom. 
What? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Numerous things. Do you think a woman 
never has anything to do ? 

Tom. 

{Coming to her and tapping her on the 
sJwulder.'] Get up and do them yourself. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{AmiaUy.'] While you sit still in this chair. 
All very fine ! 

Tom. 
I'll help you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Rising lazily.'] Very well. Bring me the 
vases and some water. {She smells the flowers. 

Tom. 
Vases. {Pointing to two vases on the mantel- 
piece.'] Will these do ? 



60 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Yes. Get those. 

Tom. 
\Pointing to another vase on the table.^ And 
that. You must get that one. We will divide 
the labour. [He gets the two vases. Mrs. Bax- 
ter has not stirred.'] Where's yours ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Smiling ^pleasantly .^ I thought you were 
going to get the vases. 

Tom. 
We were going to do this work between us. 
Get your vase. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Laughing.^ Oh, Tom — what a boy you are 

Tom. 
Why should I get all the vases ? [Talking 



to her.] You know, Dulcie, you'd feel 
better if you ran about a little more. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Pleasantly.] You'd save time, dear, if you'd 
run and get that vase yourself instead of stand- 
ing there telling me to"! 

[Tom puts the vases on the table. Then 
he goes and takes wp the other vase. 



THE MOLLUSC 6 1 



Tom. 



Oh, very well. It's not worth quarreling 
about. 

Mes. Baxter. 
No, don't let us quarrel the first morning you 
are home. 

Tom. 
{Brmgvng the vase and putting it before her.'] 
There ! 

Mrs, Baxter. 
Thank you, Tom. You'll find a tap in the 
wall outside the window and a little watering- 
can beside it. 

Tom. 
/got the vases. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Please bring me the water, Tom. These 
poppies are beginning to droop already. 

Tom. 
I wonH get the water. You must get it your- 
self. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[SmiUng.'] Yery well. Wait till I go up- 
stairs and put on my hat. 



62 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
To go just outside the window ? 

Mes. Baxter. 
I can't go into the hot sun without a hat. 

Tom. 
Rats! 

Mes. Baxtee. 

{8eriously.'\ It's not rats. Dr. Eoss said I 
must never go out in the sun without a hat. 

Tom. 
That much won't hurt you. 

Mes. Baxtee. 

/ don't mind, of course. But you must take 
the consequences if I have a sunstroke. Dick 
will be furious when he hears I've been out in 
the sun without a hat. You wouldn't like me 
to make Dick furious, would you, Tom ? [Tom 
touches her and points to the window, then folds 
his arms. There is a slight pause while she 
waits for Tom to offer to go.] If you think it's 
too much trouble to step outside the window 
I'll go all the way up-stairs for my hat. I sup- 
pose all these pretty flowers will be quite dead 
by the time I come back. 



THE MOLLUSC 63 

Tom. 
{Exasijerated^ Oh, very well, I'll get the 
water. \He goes out into the garden. 

Mks. Baxtee. 
{Calling?^ Try not to scratch the can, and 
be sure you don't leave the tap to dribble. 

Tom. 
{Outside?^ Oh, the tap's all right. 

\_81ie occv/jpies herself hy smelling the 
flowers. Tom re-enters almost iinmedi- 
ately with a little watering-can. 

Tom. 
Here's the water. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Thank you, Tom. Work seems like play 
when we do it between us. Fill the vases. 

Tom. 
I won't. \He jputs the can on the table. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Well, wait while I go and get an apron. 

Tom. 
You don't want an apron for that. 



64 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I'm not going to risk spilling the water all 
down this dress ; I only put it on so as to look 
nice for you. I won't be a minute. 

Tom. 

Stay where you are. [Muttering to himself 
as he Jills the vases."] An apron to fill three 
vases. You might as well put on your boots, 
or get an umbrella or a waterproof. 

[He is about to set the can on the floor, 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Quickly.] Don't put it on the carpet. Put 
it on the gravel outside. 

Tom. 
Put it on the gravel yourself. 

[Tom holds the can for Jier to take. She 
elaborately begins to wind a handker- 
chief round her right hand. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
It's no use both of us wetting our hands. 

[Tom grumbling goes to the window and 
pitches the can outside. 

Tom. 
Now I hope I've scratched the can, and I'm 
sorry I didn't leave the tap to dribble. 



THE MOLLUSC 65 

Mes. Baxtee. 

Kaughty, naughty. Do you remember, Tom, 
when we were all at home together, you always 
did the flowers ? 

Tom. 

I'm not going to do them now. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
You did them so tastefully. No one could 
do flowers like you. I remember Aunt Lizzie 
calling one day and saying if w^e hired a florist 
to arrange our flowers, we couldn't have got 
prettier effects than you got. 

Tom. 
Get on with those flowers. 

Mes. Baxter. 
When I did the flowers, Mamma used to say 
the drawing-room used to look like a rubbish 
heap. 

Tom. 
{Lmidly^ Get on with those flowers. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I should so like Miss Koberts to see the way 
you can arrange flowers. 

Tom. 
Get on 



66 THE MOLLUSC 

Mes. Baxter 

{Wheedling Mm.'] Do arrange one vase — 
only one, just to show Miss Roberts. 

Tom. 
[Weakening.'] Well, only one. You must 
do the other two. 

[He hegins to put the flowers in water. 
Mrs. Baxter watches him a moment, 
then she sinks into the handiest arm- 
chair. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[After a slight pause.] How well you do it. 

Tom. 
[Suddenly realizing the situation.] No, no, I 
won't. [He flings the flowers on the table.] Oh, 
you are artful. You've done nothing; I've done 
everything ; I got the flowers, the vases, the 
water — everything, and now not another stalk 
will I touch. I don't care if they die ; their 
blood will be on your head, not mine. 

[He sits down and folds his arms. A 
pause. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Seren£ly.] If you won't talk, I may as well 
go on reading my novel. It's on the table be- 
side you. Would you mind passing it ? 



THE MOLLUSC 67 

Tom. 
Yes, I would. 

Mks. Baxtee. 
Throw it. 

Tom. 

I shan't. 

Mks. Baxter. 
I thought you'd cheer us up when you came 
home, but you just sit in my chair doing 
nothing. 

Tom. 

\Turn%ng on her and saying gra/vely.'] Dulcie, 
it grieves me very much to see you such a 
Mollusc. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
What's a Mollusc ? 

Tom. 
You are. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
IPuzzled.'] A Mollusc? \_Gaily.'\ Oh, I 
know, one of those pretty little creatures that 
live in the sea — or am I thinking of a sea 
anemone ? 



68 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
It's dreadful to see a strong healthy woman 

so idle. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
[^Genuinely amazed.~] I idle ? Oh, you're 
joking. 

Tom. 
What are you doing but idling now ? \_Ap- 
jproaching her cmd saying roughly.^ Get up, 
and do those flowers. Get out of that chair 
this minute. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
[^Rising cmd smiling.'] I was only waiting 
for you. I thought we were going to do the 
flowers together. 

Tom. 
No, we won't do them together ; if we do 
them together I shall be doing them by myself 
before I know where I am, [^He stts agcum. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
I don't call that fair, to promise to help 
me with the flowers, and then just to sit and 
watch. I don't think Colorado is improving 
you. You've become so lazy and underhand. 

Tom. 
{IndAgnomtly^ What do you mean ? 



THE MOLLUSC 69 

Mes. Baxter. 
What I mean to say is, you undertook to help 
me with the flowers, and now you try to back 
out of it. Perhaps you call that sharp in 
America, but in England we should call it un- 
sportsmanlike. 

Tom. 

{Picking up the, flowers cmd throwing them 
down disgustedly.'] Oh, why did I ever go and 
gather all this rubbish ? 

[Mr. Baxter enters cmd comes down tJie 
stairs. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Half -past eleven, dear. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Thank you, dear. 

Tom. 
Half-past eleven, dear — thank you, dear— 
what does that mean ? 



Mr. Baxter. 
Tom. 



Lunch. 

Already ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
Not real lunch. 



70 THE MOLLUSC 

Mes. Baxter. 

"We always have cake and milk in the dining- 
room at half-past eleven. We think it breaks 
up the morning more. Aren't you coming ? 

Tom. 

Cake and milk at half -past eleven ; what an 
idea ! No, thank you. 

Mes. Baxtee. 

I shall be glad of the chance to sit down. 
I've had a most exhausting morning. 

\phe goes out. 

Me. Baxtee. 
Have you been taking her in hand ? 

Tom. 

\Pretending not to comprehend.'] I beg your 
pardon ? 

Me. Baxtee. 

You said you were going to take her in hand, 
first thing this morning. 

Tom. 

Oh, yes, so I did. So I have done — in a 
way — not seriously, of course — not the first 
morning. 



THE MOLLUSC 7 1 

Me. Baxter. 
You said you were going to show her what 
firmness was. 

Tom. 

Well, so I did, but never having had any 

firmness from you, she doesn't know it when 

she sees it. [Me. Baxtee is about to put some 

of tJie flowers in a vase.] What are you doing ? 

Mr. Baxtee. 
They're dying for want of water. 

Tom. 
But I said she must put them in water 
herself. 

Me. Baxter. 
Oh, I see, discipline. 

Tom. 
Exactly. 

Me. Baxter. 
What happened ? 

Tom. 

\^Pointing to the flowers.] Can't you see 

what's happened? There they are still. 

{^Angrily.'] We've spent hours wrangling over 

those damned flowers. It may seem paltry to 



72 THE MOLLUSC 

make such a fuss over anything so trivial, but 
it's the principle of the thing ; if I give in at 
the start, I shall have to give in to the finish. 

Mk. Baxtee. 
Like me. 

Tom. 
Yes, like you. "When she comes back from 
the dining-room, I'll make her do those flowers 
herself, u I have to stand over her all the 
morning. 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Looking at Tom with admiration?^ That's 
the spirit. If only I had begun like that the 
very first morning of our honeymoon. 

Tom. 
\Wiih great determination?^ I'll stand no 
nonsense. She shall do the flowers herself. 

[Miss Roberts enters. 

Miss Roberts. 
Mrs. Baxter sent me to do the flowers. 

\She comes immediately to the table and 
begins 2>utting the flowers in water. ToM 
and Mr. Baxter looh at each other. 

Tom. 
ITo Mm.l Shall I tell her not to ? 



THE MOLLUSC 73 

Me. Baxter. 
Then Dulcie will tell her she is to. 

Tom. 
Then we shall have to humiliate Dulcie be- 
fore Miss Koberts. 

Me. Baxtee. 



Tom. 
I don't want to do that. 

Me. Baxtee. 

No. 

Tom. 
I'm not giving in. 

Me. Baxtee. 
No. 

Tom. 
Don't gloat. 

Me. Baxtee. 
I'm not gloating. 

Tom. 
You are. You're gloating because I've had 
to give iti the way you always do. 



74 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Egberts. 
{To Me. Baxtee.] The girls have been 
asking if I thought they could have a half- 
holiday in honour of their uncle's arrival. 

Me. Baxter. 
I don't see why not. 

Miss Egberts. 
If you think they'd be in the way, I might 
take them off to the woods for the day. 

Me. Baxtee. 
Yes. 

Miss Egberts. 
I thought as it's so fine we might take our 
lunch with us, and have a picnic. 

Tom. 
"Why don't we all go a picnic ? 

Mr. Baxter. 

All who ? 

Tgm. 
You and I and the girls and Miss Eoberts 
and Dulcie. 

Mr. Baxter. 
You'll never get Dulcie on a picnic, will he, 
Miss Eoberts ? 



THE MOLLUSC 75 

Tom. 
Why not ? 

Mr. Baxtee. 
Too much exertion. 

Miss Egberts. 
{Still husy filling the vasesP^ I think Mrs. 
Baxter would go if Mr. Kemp asked her. 

[Tom looks at Mr. Baxter as soon as 
Miss Roberts has sjpohen and Mr. 
Baxter looks dubious. 

Tom. 

[In a lower voice, to Mr. Baxter.] I don't 
want Miss Roberts to think that I can't master 
Dulcie; besides, a picnic, the very thing to 
make her run about, but we must approach her 
tactfully and keep our tempers. I lost mine 
over the flowers, otherwise I've not the least 
doubt I could have made her do them ; we must 
humour Dulcie and cajole her. Whisk her off 
to the woods in a whirl of gaiety ; you go 
dancing into the dining-room like this. [As- 
suming great jollity.] We're all going off on a 
picnic. 

Mr. Baxter. 

Oh, no. 

Tom. 

Why not ? 



76 THE MOLLUSC 

Me. Baxter. 
It wouldn't be me. 

Tom. 

Well, er — \_glancing at Miss ^Robeets] go 

and — er \_Glancing again at Miss Rob- 

EETS.] Oh, go and say whatever you like. 
But be jolly about it ; full of the devil. 

\^He takes Me. Baxtee hy the arm amd 
pushes him towards the stai/rs. 

Me. Baxtee. 

[^Imitating Tom as he goes.] We're all going 
off on a picnic. [^He stops at the top of the stairs 
and says seriously.] It wouldn't be me. 

[He exits. 

Tom. 

So you're nob one of the cake and milk 
brigade ? 

Miss Roberts. 
No. 

Tom. 
I thought you wouldn't be. 

Miss Roberts. 
Aren't you going to join them ? 



THE MOLLUSC // 

Tom. 

No, I don't want to eat cake in the middle 
of the morning. I'm like you. We seem to 
have a lot of habits' in common. 

Miss Koberts. 

Do you think so ? 

Tom. 
Don't you ? 

Miss Koberts. 

I haven't thought. 

\_Sli6 takes a vase to the ma/)itelpiece. 
Tom loatches her and follows with the 
other vase. Miss Roberts takes the 
vase from ToM and puts it on the tnan- 



TOM. 

Didn't we have a nice walk together ? 

Miss Roberts. 

Yes ; don't you love being out in the early 
morning ? 

Tom. 

I'm up with the sun at home out "West. I 
live out-of-doors out there. 



78 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Roberts. 
How splendid! 

Tom. » 
You're the kind of girl for Colorado. 

Miss Eoberts. 
\Pleased?^ Am I ? 

Tom. 
Can you ride ? 

Miss Roberts. 
Yes, but I don't get any opportunities now. 

Tom. 
Got a good nerve ? 

Miss Roberts. 
I broke a colt once ; he'd thrown three men, 
but he never threw me ! 

Tom. 
\Smiling at her.] Well done ! 

Miss Roberts. 
I didn't mean to boast, but I'd love to do it 
again. 

Tom. 
I should love to see you mounted on a mus- 
tang, flying through our country. 



THE MOLLUSC 79 

Miss Roberts. 
With the tree tops waving down in the valley, 
and the great blue mountains you told us about, 
stretching away — away 

Tom. 
[ Watching her with admiration?^ You cer- 
tainly ought to come to Colorado. 

Miss Roberts. 
Nothing so thrilling could happen to me. 

[She returns to the table andjpicks up the 
remaining flowers. 

Tom. 
{Following her.'] Why ? You've nothing to 
do but get on the boat and take the train from 
New York, and I'd meet you in Denver. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Laughing.'] It's so nice to have someone 
here to make us laugh, 

Tom. 
[A little hurt.] Oh, I was being serious. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Seriously.] Do you really think Colorado 
would be a good place for a girl like me to go 
to ? A governess ! 



8o THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 

Yes, yes, a girl who has to earn her own liv- 
ing has a better time of it out there than here, 
more independence, more chance, more life. 

Miss Eobeets. 
[^Thoughtfully. ~] I do know an English lady 
in Colorado Springs, at least a great friend of 
mine does, and I'm sure I could get a letter to 
her. 

Tom. 
[Cheerfully.'] You don't want any letters of 
introduction ; you've got me. 

Miss Eoberts. 
{Smiling.'] Yes, but that is not quite the 
same thing. 

Tom. 
No, I suppose not ; no, I see : well, can't you 
write to your friend and tell her to send that 
letter on at once ? 

Miss Eoberts. 
[Amused.] You talk as if it were all settled. 

Tom. 
I wish it were. 



THE MOLLUSC Si 

Miss Robeets. 

\Not noticing that he is flirting with her^ she 
says thoughtfully ?[ I wish I knew what to do 
about leaving here. 

Tom. 

You told me you had already given my sister 
notice. 

Miss Roberts. 
She won't take it. 

Tom. 
She can't make you stay if you want to go. 

Miss Roberts. 

{Smiling^ hut serious.'] It's not as simple as 
that. After Mrs. Baxter has treated me so 
well, I should be making a poor return, if I 
left her before she found some one to take 
my place. On the other hand, my duty to the 
children is to leave them. 

Tom. 
A real old-fashioned conscience. 

Miss Roberts. 
One must think of the others. 



82 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
It seems to me yoii're always doing that. 

Miss Roberts. 
If you knew how I sometimes long to be free 
to do whatever I like just for one day. When 
I see other girls — girls who don't work for a 
living — enjoying themselves — it comes over me 
so dreadfully what I am missing. From the 
schoolroom window I can see the tennis club, 
and while I am giving Gladys and Margery 
their geography lesson, I hear them calling 
" Play ! Fifteen love ! " and see the ball flying 
and the girls in their white dresses, talking to 
such nice-looking young men. 

Tom. 
Um, yes. Don't you ever talk to any of 
those nice-looking young men ? 

Miss Roberts. 
Of course not. 

Tom. 
How's that ? 

Miss Roberts. 
Governesses never do. "We only pass them 
by as we walk out with the children, or see the 
backs of their heads in church. Or if we are 



THE MOLLUSC 83 

introduced, as I was to one at the Rectory one 
day — the occasion is so unusual we feel quite 
strained and nervous — and can't appear at our 
best. So that they don't want to pursue the 
acquaintance even if they could. 

Tom. 
You don't seem strained and nervous as you 
talk to me. 

Miss Robeets. 
{Innocently?^ You don't seem like the others. 
\Slie meets his eyes — smiles at liiin and saysJ] 
I must go back to the schoolroom. [She rises. 

Tom. 

[^Rising and coming to Miss ROBERTS.] 
Not yet. Don't go yet. I want you to stay 
here— talking to me. You are sure to hear my 
little nieces shrieking about in the garden when 
they have done theu' cake. 

[Mrs. Baxter enters followed hy Mr. 
Baxter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Oh, I hurried back to finish the flowers, but 
I see you have done them. Thank you. 

Miss Roberts. 
You asked me to do them, Mrs. Baxter. 



84 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Smiling.'] Oh, no, Miss Eoberts — I think 
you are mistaken. I only said they were there 
waiting to be done. 

[She sits in an armchair and begins to 
read a novel. 

Tom. 
[In an undertone to Mr. Baxter.] Have 
you told her about the picnic ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
There was no suitable opportunity — so 

Tom. 
You're a coward ! [He pushes past him. 
Tom then motions to Mr. Baxter to speak 
to Mrs. Baxter. He refuses. Tom assuming 
great cheerfulness, addresses Mrs. Baxter.] 
We are all going off on a picnic. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Pleasantly.'] Oh. 

Tom. 
Yes. We four and the girls. [ Whisperitig 
to Mr. Baxter.] Back me up. 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Rubhing his hands together, OMd trying to 
assume jollity ?\^ Won't that be fun ? 



THE MOLLUSC 85 

Mes. Baxter. 

[^Brightly.'] I think it would be great 

fun 

Tom. 
Ah. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
— Some day. 

Tom. 
"Why not to-day ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Why to-day ? 

Tom. 

{At a loss for an answer, appeals to Mr. Bax- 
ter and Miss Roberts.] Why to-day ? 

Miss Roberts. 

In honour of Mr. Kemp's arrival, and it's 
such a fine day — and 

Mrs. Baxter. 

You will find the girls in the schoolroom — 
dear. 

Tom. 

[ Very jolly. 1 Shall she go and get them 
ready ? 



86 THE MOLLUSC 

Mes. Baxter. 
\InnocentlyP^ What for ? 

Tom. 
The picnic. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I thought it had been decided not to go to- 
day. 

Mr. Baxter. 
{^Losing his temjoer.'] Oh, Dulcie — you know 
quite well 

Tom. 

[Signing to Mr. Baxter to keep quiet.'] Sh ! 
[Turning to Mrs. Baxter and pretending to 
make a meek, heartfelt appeal.] Please let us 
go to-day. It's in honour of my arrival. I 
shall be so hurt if I don't have a picnic in honour 
of my arrival. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Suppose it rains. 

Tom. 

[At a loss for an answer, appealing to the 
othe?'s.] Suppose it rains ? 

Miss Koberts. 
[At the window. 1 I can't see a single cloud. 



THE MOLLUSC 8/ 

Me. Baxter. 
The glass has gone up. 

Tom. 
It won't rain if we take plenty of umbrellas 
and mackintoshes and our goloshes. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I think we are all too tired. 

Tom. 

[Scouting the idea.] Too tired ! 

[Mr. Baxter and Tom get together. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I suppose it is the excitement of Tom's arrival 
which is making us feel so next-dayish. 

Tom. 
Next-dayish ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
You especially. You were very irritable 
over the flowers. You ought to go and lie 
down. 

\She takes up her novel and opens it as 
if she considered the argument over. 
Miss Eoberts watches them anx- 
iously. Mr. Baxter makes an errv- 
phatic gesture, exjyressing his strong 
feelings on the subject. 



88 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
{Cliitcliing his a7")n.~\ We must keep our 
tempers. We must keep our tempers. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Shall we poke fun at her ? 

Tom. 

No, no, we'll try a little coaxing first. [He 
takes a chair, places it close heside Mrs. Bax- 
ter atid sits. Smiling affectionately at Mrs. 
Baxter.] Dear Dulcie. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Smiling affectionately at ToM ami jpattmg 
his knees.'] Dear Tom. 

Tom. 
We shall have such a merry picnic. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
It would have been nice, wouldn't it ? 

Tom. 
Under a canopy of green boughs with the 
sunbeams dropping patterns on the carpet of 
moss at our feet. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Spiders dropping on our hats. 



THE MOLLUSC 89 

Tom. 
Dear, interesting little creatures, and so in- 
dustrious. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Ants up our arms. 

Tom. 
[Laughinff.] Lizards up our legs. Frogs in 
our food. Oh, we shall get back to Nature. 
[Tom and Mrs. Baxter both laugh heartily, 
both in the greatest good-humour. Mr. Baxter 
and Miss Roberts also laugh.'] Then it's 
settled. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Yes, dear — it's settled. 

Tom. 
[ThinkiMg he hds won.] Ah ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
We'll all stay quietly at home. 

[She resumes the reading of her hook. 
Tom is i 



Mr. Baxter. 
The girls will be greatly disappointed. 



go THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
[ With emotion?^ Poor girls ! A day in the 
woods. [ With muck jpathos.~\ Think what that 
means to those poor girls. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Rising and saying seriously to Miss Rob- 
erts.] Miss Roberts, you might go to the 
schoolroom and tell Gladys and Margery that 
Mamma says they may have a half -holiday and 
go for a picnic in the woods. 

[Tom winhs at Mr. Baxter. The three 
look at each other agreeably surprised. 

Miss Roberts. 
\Momng towards the stairs.] Thank you. 
Thank you very much, Mrs. Baxter. I'll go and 
get them ready at once. [She goes out. 

Tom. 
I knew we only had to appeal to her heart. 

Mr.*Baxter. 
We shall want twelve hard-boiled eggs. 

Tom. 
And some ginger-beer. 

Mr. Baxter. 
A ham. 



THE MOLLUSC 9I 

Tom. 

A few prawns. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Looking out of tJie window to which she has 
strolled.^ I am glad Miss Koberts and the gii'ls 
have got such a line day for their picnic. 

[Tom and Me. Baxter look at each 
otJier in dismay. 

Mr. Baxter. 
{After a paused] After leading us on to be- 
lieve 

Tom. 
{In great good humour.'] Can't you see she's 
teasing us ? {Going to Mrs. Baxter, he play- 
fidly pinches her ear.] Mischievous little puss ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Gravely to Mr. Baxter.] Dear, I should 
like to speak to you. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Shall we go to my room ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I don't see why we need trouble to walk 
across the hall. {Glances at Tom.] We may 
get this room to ourselves by and by. 

[She sits down. 



92 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 

\Cheerfully taking the hint.'] All right — all 
right. I'll go and make preparations for the 
picnic. Don't keep us waiting, Dulcie. Prawns 
— hams — ginger-beer [Jle runs off. 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Slightly peevish.] I wish you would enter 
more into the spirit of the picnic. It would do 
you good to go to a picnic. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I don't like the way Tom is carrying on with 
Miss Roberts. Last evening they monopolized 
the conversation. This morning — a walk before 
breakfast. Just now — as soon as my back is 
turned — at it again. I don't like it — and it 
wouldn't do me any good at all to go to a 
picnic. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Tom seems so set on our going. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Tom is set on making me go. Tom has taken 
upon himself to reform my character. He 
thinks I need stirring up. 

Mr. Baxter. 
[JSmbarrassed.] What put such an idea as 
that into your head ? 



THE MOLLUSC 93 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[LooJdng him straight in the eye.'] The 
clumsy way you both go about it. [Mr. Bax- 
ter looks exceedingly uncomfortable.'] . . . 
It wouldn't deceive any woman. It wouldn't 
suit me at all if Tom became interested in Miss 
Roberts. I could never tind another Miss Rob- 
erts. She understands my ways so well, I 
couldn't possibly do without her ; not that I'm 
thinking of myself ; I'm thinking only of her 
good. It's not right for Tom to come here 
turning her head, and I don't suppose the cli- 
mate of Colorado would suit her. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I don't think we need worry yet. They only 
met yesterday. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
That is so like you, dear — to sit still and let 
everything slip past you like the — what was 
that funny animal Tom mentioned — the mol- 
lusc. I prefer to take action. We must speak 
to Tom. 

Mr. Baxter. 
You'll only offend him if you say anything 
to him. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I've no intention of saying anything. 1 
think it would come much better from you. 



94 THE MOLLUSC 

Mk. Baxter. 
[ With determination?^ I shan't interfere. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

{^Trying to worlc on his feelings.'] It's not 
often I ask you to do anything for me, and I'm 
not strong. 

Mr. Baxter. 
[Feeling uncomfortahle.'] I shouldn't know 
what to say to Tom, or how to say it. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Approaching Mr. Baxter.] You know the 
way men talk to each other. Go up to him and 
say, " I say, old fellow, that little governess of 
ours. Hands otf, damn it all." [Mrs. Baxter 
nudges Mr. Baxter in a masculine way. 
Mr. Baxter laughs and retreats a little. Mrs. 
Baxter is mightily offended.'] I don't consider 
that trifling with a young girl's aflfections is 
food for laughter. 

Mr, Baxter. 
[Trying to conceal his amusement.'] I think 
I'll go and join Tom. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Will you tell him we wish him to pay less 

[Miss Egberts enters] attention to 

[She sees Miss Roberts. 



THE MOLLUSC 95 

Me. Baxtek. 
We'll see. \_He goes out. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
I know what that means. 

Miss Kobeets. 
{^Coming to Mes. Baxtee.] If you please, 
Mrs. Baxter, I'm having such trouble with 
Gladys and Margery. They want to go to the 
picnic in their Sunday hats, and I say they 
must go in their every-day ones. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
If there's going to be any trouble about the 
matter, let them have their own way. 

Miss Robeets. 
Thank you. {She is going out. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
Oh, Miss Roberts. [Miss Robeets stops.] 
I want a word with you before you start off on 
your picnic. Sit down, dear. [Miss Robeets 
sits down.'] You know how devoted I am to 
my brother Tom. 

Miss Robeets. 
[ With smiling enthusiasm.] I don't wonder. 
He's delightful. So amusing, so easy to get on 
with. 



96 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Yes, but of course we all have our faults, and 
a man who gets on easily with one will get on 
easily with another. Always mistrust people 
who are easy to get on with. 

Miss Egberts. 
\8olemmly^ Oh — do you mean he isn't quite 
honest ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Indignantly^ ^Nothing of the sort. You 
mustn't twist my meanings in that manner. 
You might get me into great trouble. 

Miss Egberts. 
I'm so sorry, but I thought you were warning 
me against him. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Confused?^ Yes — no — yes — and no. {Re- 
covering herself^ I am sure you will take what 
I'm going to say as I mean it, because — [smiles 
at her] I am so fond of you. Ever since you 
came to us I have wished to make you one of 
the family. When I say one of the family, I 
mean in the sense of taking your meals with 
us. Mr. Baxter and the girls and I are so much 
attached to you. We should like to keep you 
with us always. 



THE MOLLUSC 9/ 

Miss Robeets. 
I imist leave at the end of the term. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
We won't go into all that now. 

Miss Roberts. 

But 

Mrs. Baxter. 

\Sm,iling and raising her hand i/n protesta- 
tion^ says politely.'] Try not to interrupt. [Seri- 
ously.'] 1 should say that a man of Tom's age 
who has never married would be a contirmed 
bachelor. He might amuse himself here and 
there with a pretty girl, but he would never 
think of any woman seriously. 

Miss Roberts. 
\_Einbarrassed.] I can't think why you are 
saying this to me. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Plunging at last into her subject] To speak 
quite frankly — as a sister — I find your attitude 
towards my brother Tom a trifle too encourag- 
ing. Last evening, for instance, you monopo- 
lized a good deal of the conversation — and this 
morning you took a walk with him before 
breakfast — and altogether — \ye7y sweetly] it 
looks just a little bit as if you were trying to 
flirt— doesn't it ? 



98 the mollusc 

Miss Kobeets. 
[ With suppressed rage.] I'm not a flirt ! 

Mes. Baxtee. 
I didn't say you were — I said 

Miss Eobeets. 
I'm not a flirt — I'm 7iot. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
We'll say no more about it. It was very 
hard for me to have to speak to you. You 
have no idea how difficult I found it. 

Miss Eobeets. 
Mrs. Baxter, you have often been very kind 
to me, and I don't want to forget it — but I'd 
rather not be treated as one of the family any 
more. I want my meals in the schoolroom, 
and I mustn't be expected to sit in the drawing- 
room. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
Upsetting the whole machinery of the house. 

Miss Eobeets. 
I can't go on meeting him at table and every- 
where. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
I don't see why not. 



THE MOLLUSC 99 

Miss Egberts. 
I shouldn't know where to look or what to 
say. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Look out of the window and converse on in- 
animate objects. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Mumhles angrily.'] I will not look out of 
the window and converse on inanimate objects. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[^Putting wp a warning hand.] Hush, hush, 
hush! 

Miss Roberts. 
Please understand I won't be one of the 
family, and I won't go to the picnic. 

[She goes hurriedly into the garden. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Oh, oh, naughty girl ! 

[Tom and Mr. Baxter enter. 

Tom. 
Cook thinks the large basket and the small 
hamper will suffice. She said suffice. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I'm very sorry, Tom, but it is out of the 
question for us to go to a picnic to-day. 



lOO THE MOLLUSC 

Me. Baxter. 
Oh, Dulcie. 

Tom. 
Too late to back out. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
/haven't backed out. It's Miss Roberts. 

Tom. 
"We can't have a picnic without Miss Roberts. 

Me. Baxtee. 
"What's the matter with her ? 

Mes. Baxtee. 
{Solemnly ?\^ Miss Roberts and I have had 
words. [Tom whistles quietly. 

Me. Baxtee. 
"What about ? 

Mes. Baxter. 
Never you mind. 

Tom. 

Oh, it can't be such a very dreadful quarrel 
between two such nice sensible women. I guess 
you were both in the right. \To Me. Baxtee.] 
I guess they were both in the wrong. {Tciking 
Mes. Baxtee hy the arm and cajoling her.'] 
Come along. Tell us all about it. 



THE MOLLUSC lOI 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[ Withdrawing her arm.] No, Tom, I can't. 

Tom. 
Then suppose I go to Miss Koberts and get 
her version. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[In dismay.] Oh, no, that wouldn't do at all. 

Tom. 
I only want to make peace. [To Mr. Bax- 
ter.] Wouldn't it be better if they told me 
and let me make it up for them ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
Why you ? 

Tom. 
A disinterested person. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
But you are not. 

[Putting her hand over her mouth. 

Tom. 

[Turns quickly to Mrs. Baxter.] What ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I'm not going to say any more. 

[She sits down. 



I02 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
{Seriously?^ You mxtst. If your quarrel con- 
cerns me, I have a right to know all about it, 

Mr. Baxter. 
\Motioning to Mrs. Baxter.] You are only 
putting ideas into their heads. 

Tom. 

{Turning sharjply on Mr. Baxter.] Put- 
ting what ideas into their heads ? \_It dawns 
upon him what the subject of the quarrel has 
heen.l Oh! [7b Mrs. Baxter.] You don't 

mean to say you spoke to her about [He 

stops embarrassed^] What have you said to 
her? 

Mrs. Baxter. 

I decline to tell you. 

Tom. 
Then I shall ask her. [Going. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Quickly.'] No, no, Tom. I — prefer to tell 
you myself. I spoke very nicely to her. I 
forget how the conversation arose, but I think 
I did say something to the effect that young 
girls ought to be careful not to have their heads 
turned by men years older than themselves. 



THE MOLLUSC I03 

[She looks significantly at ToM,who turns away 
angrily:] Instead of thanking me, she stamped 
and stormed and was very rude to me — very 
rude. I simply said \in a very gentle tone], Oh, 
Miss Eoberts ! [Bousing herself as she describes 
Miss Roberts' share in the scene.] But she 
went on shouting, " I won't go a picnic, I won't 
go a picnic ! " and bounced out of the room. It 
just shows you how you can be deceived in peo- 
ple, and I have been so good to that girl. 

Tom. 
[Coming towards Mes. Baxter.] I'm very 
angry — with you — very angry. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I simply gave her a word of counsel which 
she chose to take in the wrong spirit. 

Tom. 
You interfered. You meddled. It's too bad 
of you, Dulcie. It's unbearable. 

Mr. Baxter. 
[ Watching ToM.] The way you take it any 
one would think you had fallen in love with our 
Miss Roberts since yesterday. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Yes — wouldn't any one ? 



104 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 

{Addressing them both.'] Would there be 
anything so strange in that ? Perhaps I have, 
I don't know — perhaps as you imply I'm old 
enough to know better. I don't know. All I 
know is, I think her the most charming girl 1 
ever met. I've not had time to realize what this 
is ; one must wait and see ; give the seed a chance 
to produce a flower — not stamp on it. \_To 
Mrs. Baxter.] You might have left things 
alone, when all was going so pleasantly. I was 
just beginning to think — beginning to feel — 

wondering if perhaps — later on Kow 

you've spoilt everything. 



Mrs. Baxter. 
[^Tearful and angry.'] I won't stay here to 
be abused. [Going to the window.'] You've 
done nothing else all the morning, I'm tired 
of being taken in hand and improved. No one 
likes to be improved. 

[Mrs. Baxter goes out through the 
wi/ndow. 



Tom. 
I don't want to be unkind to her — but you 
know how a man feels. He doesn't like any 
one meddling when he's just beginning to 



THE MOLLUSC 105 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Showing embarrassment all throtigJi the early 
jpai't of this scene.'] I agree with Dulcie. It 
would not be suitable for you to marry Miss 
Koberts. 

Tom. 
She's as good as any of us. 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Hesitatingly. ~\ It's not that. Miss Eoberts 
from her position here — alone in the world but 
for us — and having lived here so long — is — in a 
sense — under my protection. 

Tom. 
I don't see that, but go on. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I feel — in a certain degree — responsible for 
her. I think it is my duty — and Dulcie's duty 
— to try and stop her making what we both 
feel would be an unsuitable marriage. 

Tom. 
It's a little early to speak of our marriage, 
but why should it be unsuitable ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
We don't wish her to marry you. 



I06 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
Why ? Give me a reason. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Why do you press me for a reason ? 

Tom. 
Because this is very important to me. You 
have constituted yourself her guardian. I have 
no objection to that^ but I want to get at your 
objection to me as a husband to her. I'm" in a 
position to marry. I'd treat her well if she'd 
have me. We'd be as happy as the day is long 
in our little home in the mountains 

Mr. Baxter. 
[ Unable to rest/rain himself.'] You married to 
her ? Oh, no — oh, no, I couldn't bear that. 

[^He sinks into a chair and leans his head 
on his hands. 

Tom. 
[Completely taken aback.] Dick, think what 
you're saying. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I couldn't help it. You made me say it — 
.talking of taking her away — right away where 
I shall never see her again, I couldn't stand 
my life here without her. 



THE MOLLUSC lO/ 

Tom. 
Dick, Dick I 

Mr. Baxter. 
She knows nothing of how I feel ; it's only 
this moment I realized myself what she is to 
me. 

TOM» 

Then from this moment you ought never to 
see her again. 

Mr. Baxter. 
That's impossible ! 

Tom. 
Think of Dulcie, and the girl herself; she 
can't live in the house with you both now. 

Mr. Baxter. 
She's lived with us for four years, and no one 
has ever seen any harm in it ; nothing is changed. 

ToM. 
From the moment you realized what she is to 
you, everything is changed, 

Mr. Baxter. 
There has never been anything to criticize in 
my conduct to Miss Roberts, and there won't 
be anything. 



Io8 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
She is the object of an affection, which you, 
as a married man, have no right to feel for her. 
I don't blame you entirely. I blame Dulcie, for 
throwing you so much together. I remember 
all you said last evening. Dulcie used to play 
chess with you, now she tells Miss Roberts to ; 
Dulcie used to go for long walks with you, now 
she sends Miss Roberts. Out of your forced 
companionship has sprung this, which she ought 
to have foreseen. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Nothing is confessed or understood ; I don't 
see that Miss Roberts is in any danger. 

Tom. 
She is alone. She has no confidant, no friend, 
no outlet for the natural desires of youth, for 
love, for some one to love. She finds you sym- 
pathetic — you know the rest. 

Mr. Baxter. 
It is jealousy that is at the bottom of your 
morality. 

Tom. 
It won't do, Dick. It's a most awful state 
of things. 

Me. Baxter. 
If you think that, I wonder you stay here. 



THE MOLLUSC 109 

Tom. 
Yery well, if you mean I ought to clear out. 

{He goes towards the door. 

Mk. Baxter. 
[Following after ToM.] No, Tom. Look 
here, I didn't mean that ; but you see, you and 
I can't discuss tnis without losing our tempers, 
so if your visit to us is to continue mutually 
pleasant, as I hope it will, we'd better avoid 
the topic in future. 

Tom. 
Then you mean to keep Miss Koberts here 

indefinitely, — compromised ? 

Mr. Baxter. 

It's no use going over the ground ; we don't 
see things from the same point of view, so don't 
let us go on discussing. [He goes iq? the stairs 
and then turns to Tom.] Tom, you might trust 
me. [Mr. Baxter goes out. 

[Tom remains in deep thought, tJien sud- 
denly makes a determined movement, 
then stops and sighs. Miss Egberts 
enters from the garden. She hesitates 
timidly when she sees him. 

Miss Egberts. 
Mrs. Baxter sent me to get her magazine. 



no THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
Where is my sister ? 

Miss Egberts. 
Sitting in the garden. 

[me takes ujp the magazine and is goirig 
out again. 

Tom. 

I [Miss Eoberts sto;ps.'\ I — want to 

tell you something. 

Miss Kobeets. 
I can't stay. 

Tom. 
I ask you as a great favour to me to hear me. 

Miss Egberts. 
I ought not to stay. 

Tgm. 
I didn't think you'd refuse me when I asked 
you like that. 

Miss Egberts. 
[Hesitating.'] I can't stay long. 

Tgm. 

Won't you sit down while I tell you ? [Re 
indicates a chair. MiSS Egberts comes to the 



THE MOLLUSC III 

chii/r and sits.] I want to tell you about my* 
self, and my life in Colorado. 

Miss Egberts. 

[Jfervously.'] I don't think I can stay if it's 
just to talk and hear stories of Colorado. 

Tom. 

[Smilmg.'j Did you have enough of my 
stories this morning ? 

Miss Roberts. 

Oh, no, I was quite interested in what you 
said, but I 

Tom. 

You were interested. I knew it by your eyes. 
Why, you even thought you'd like to go there 
yourself some time. 

Miss Roberts. 

I've changed my mind. I've quite given up 
that idea now. 

Tom. 

You'd like it out there. I'm sure you 
would; it's a friendly country; no one cares 
who you are, but only what you are, so you 
soon make friends. That's right. That gives 
every one a chance, and it's good in this 



112 THE MOLLUSC 

way, it makes a man depend on himself, it 
teaches him to think clearly and decide quickly ; 
in fact he has to keep wide awake if he wants 
to succeed. That's the kind of training I've 
had. I've been from mining camp to mining 
camp — I've tried my luck in half the camps in 
California and Colorado. Sometimes it was 
good, sometimes bad, but take it altogether, 
I've done well. {Making the next point clearly 
am,d delicately.'] I've got something saved up, 
and I can always make good money, anywhere 
west of Chicago. [Laicghing.] Now I'm talk- 
ing like a true American ; they always begin 
by telling you how much they've got. You'll 
forgive me, won't you ? It's force of habit. 
Now what was I saying ? [Se^^iously.] We 
learn to decide quickly in everything ; you find 
me somewhat abrupt ; it's only that. I make 
up my mind all at once, and once it's made up, 
that's finished — I don't change. {Hesitating 
slightly.'] The first time I saw you I made up 
my mind — I said that's the girl for me, that's 
the girl I want for my wife. [Leans towards 
her.] Will you be my wife? 

Miss Egberts. 
[Rising am,d very much moved and distressed.] 
Oh, no, I can't. I didn't know that was com- 
ing, or I wouldn't have listened, I wouldn't in- 
deed. 



THE MOLLUSC 113 

Tom. 
\FoUoioing her.] I've been too abrupt. I 
warned you I was like that; I make up my 
mind I want something, and the next thing is, 
I go straight away and ask for it. That's too 
quick for you. You want time to think— well, 
take time to think it over. [Miss Roberts 
turns to Mm quickly/.] Don't tell me yet ; 
there's no hurry. I'm not going back for a 
month or two. 

Miss Roberts. 
I'm very much obliged to you for asking me 
to marry you, but I can't. 

Tom. 
Never ? 

Miss Roberts. 
No, never ! I don't think so. 

Tom. 
Eh ? That sounds like hope. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Quickly. 1 I didn't mean it* to sound like 
hope. 

Tom. 
It didn't seem that way last evening when 
we were talking about the forests and the 



114 THE MOLLUSC 

mountains, and I was telling you how it felt to 
be back — or this morning when we were get- 
ting flowers, or afterwards when we sat here, 
while they were eating their cake and milk ; it 
seemed to me we were getting on famously. 

Miss Eobeets. 
\A.jpjpeali7igly^ Oh, please don't go on. I 
can't bear it. You only distress me. 

\8he sobs. 

Tom. 
Oh ! [Pausing and looking at her, he sees 
that she means it and is really distressed.'] I'm 
sorry. 

[He goes out abruptly Miss Eobeets 
is weejping bitterly. Mr. Baxter 
enters. He connes down-stairs towards 
her and looks down at her with affec- 
tionate concern. Miss Roberts does 
not notice his presence till he speaks. 

Mr. Baxter. 
What is it ? 

Miss Eoberts. 
[Trying to control her sobs.] Nothing. 

Mr. Baxter. 

You are in trouble. You are in great trouble 
—can't you tell me, —can't I do anything ? 



THE MOLLUSC II5 

Miss Egberts. 
No. 

Mr. Baxter. 
"Wouldn't it do you good to tell somebody ? 
Don't you want some one to tell it all to ? 

Miss Egberts. 
I want [She falters. 

Mr. Baxter. 
What is it you want ? 

Miss Egberts. 
I think I want a mother. 

[The effort of saying this brings on her 
tears afresh; she stands weepinghitterly . 
Mr. Baxter puts his arm about her 
and draws her gently to him. She 
yields herself natxirally and sobs on his 
shoulder. Mr. Baxter murmurs and 
soothes her. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Poor child ! Poor child ! [ While they are 
in this sentimental position Tgm and Mrs. 
Baxter appear at tlie vnndow. They see Mr. 
Baxter and Miss Egberts but are unseen by 
them. Miss Egberts disengages herself from 
Mr. Baxter and goes out sobbing without per- 
ceiving Tgm and Mrs. Baxter. Mr. Baxter 



Il6 THE MOLLUSC 

watches Miss Egberts off^ then turns and sees 
Mrs. Baxter for tJie first time ; he hecomes 
ve7"y embarrassed under her steady disapprov- 
ing eyes. To Mrs. Baxter.] Do you want 
me to explain ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[^Coldly.'] Not at present, thank you, 
Kichard. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I was only 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Not now. I prefer to consider my position 
carefully before expressing my astonishment 
and indignation. 

Mr. Baxter. 

Well, if you won't let me explain 

\^He turns to the window and sees ToM. 
He looks appealingly at him. ToM 
ignores him atid walks past Mm. Mr. 
Baxter shrugs his shoulders and goes 
out through the window. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I don't know which of them I feel angriest 
with. 

Tom. 
Dick, of course. 



THE MOLLUSC WJ 

Mes. Baxter. 
\_Tearfully.'\ For thirteen years no man has 
ever kissed me, — except you, — and Dick, — and 
Uncle Joe, — and Dick's brothers, — and old Mr. 
Redmayne, — and the Dean when he came back 
from the Holy Land. [ Working herself into a 
rage.'] I'll never speak to Dick again. I'll 
bundle Miss Eoberts out of the house at once. 

Tom. 
Do it discreetly. Send her away certainly 
but don't do anything hastily. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I'm not the woman to put up with that sort 
of thing. 

Tom. 
[Persuasively.'] Don't be hard on her ; don't 
be turning her into the street ; make it look as 
if she were going on a holiday. Pack her off 
somewhere with the children for a change of 
air, this afternoon. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
It's most inconvenient; everything will be 
upside down. [^Calming herself, she sits in an 
armchair.^ You're right. I mustn't be too 
hasty ; better wait a few days, till the end of 
the term, or even till after we come home from 
the seaside, then pack her off. [Pause.'] Un- 
less it blows over. 



Il8 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 

\Astonished and going to her quichly.'] Blows 
over! It won't blow over while she's in the 
house. [ Very seriously.'] You're up against a 
serious crisis. Take warning from what you 
saw and save your home from ruin. [Mrs. Bax- 
ter, awed and impressed by this,, listeiis atten- 
tively.'] You've grown so dependent on Miss 
Roberts, you've almost let her slip into your 
place ; if you want to keep Dick, you must 
begin an altogether different life, not to-mor- 
row [Mrs. Baxter shakes her head.] 

Not next week [Mrs. Baxter shakes 

her head again.] Now ! [Mrs. Baxter's/(2c<3 
hetrays her discontent at the unattractive pros- 
pect he offers her.] You be his companion, you 
play chess with him, you go walks with him, sit 
up with him in the evenings, get up early in the 
morning. Be gay and cheerful at the breakfast 
table. When he goes away, see him off ; when 
he comes home, run to meet him. Learn to do 
without Miss Roberts, and make him forget 
her. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Yery well. [^Rising.] She shall leave this 
house directly,— directly I recover, 

Tom, 
Recover from what ? 



THE MOLLUSC II9 

Mrs. Baxter. 
From the shock. Think of the shock I've 
had ; there's sure to be a reaction. I shouldn't 
wonder if I had a complete collapse. It's be- 
ginning already, \_8he totters and goes towards 
staircase.] Oh, dear, I feel so ill. Please call 
Miss Eoberts. 

Tom. 
You were going to learn to do without Miss 
Eoberts. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
That was before I was ill. I can't be ill 
without Miss Eoberts. 

[Puts her hand to her side, turns up her 
eyes and groaiu as she totters out. 

Tom. 
Oh! Ohl You Mollusc! 



THE CURTAIN FALLS 



THE THIRD ACT 

SCENE. — TJie same scene one week later. The 
only difference to the appearance of the room, 
is that there is the addition ^of an invalid 
couch with a little table beside it. 

Tom is in an armchair reading a newspaper. 
Miss Roberts comes in carrying two pil- 
lows, a scent bottle, and two fans. The pillows 
she lays on the couch. 

Miss Robeets. 
She is coining down to-day. 

Tom. 
[Betraying no i/nterest at aU.'\ Oh ! 

Miss Roberts. 
Aren't you pleased ? 

Tom. 
I think it's about time. 

Miss Roberts. 
How unsympathetic you are — when she has 
been so ill. For a whole week she has never 
left her room. 



THE MOLLUSC 121 

Tom. 
And refuses to see a doctor. 

Miss Roberts. 
She says she doesn't think a doctor could do 
anything for her. 

Tom. 
Except make her get up. Oh, no ! I forgot 
— it's their business to keep people in bed. 

Miss Roberts. 
You wouldn't talk like that if you'd seen her 
as I have, lying there day after day, so weak 
she can only read the lightest literature, and eat 
the most delicate food. 

Tom. 

She won't let me in her room. 

Miss Roberts. 
She won't have any one but Mr. Baxter 
and me. 

Tom. 
It's too monstrous. What actually happened 
that day ? 

Miss Roberts. 
Which day ? 



122 the mollusc 

Tom. 
The day you turned me down. [Miss Egb- 
erts looks at him trotobled. He looks away 
sadly. ^ What happened after that ? 

Miss Roberts. 
I was still upset when Mr. Baxter came in 
and tried to comfort me. 

Tom. 
[Grrnily.'] I remember. 

Miss Roberts. 
You know he's a kind fatherly little man. 

Tom. 
Oh— fatherly ! 

Miss Roberts. 
Yes, I wept on his shoulder just as if he'd 
been an old woman. 

Tom. 
Ah ! An old woman ! I don't mind that. 

Miss Roberts. 
Then I went to the schoolroom. Presently 
in walked Mrs. Baxter. She seemed upset too, 
for all of a sudden she flopped right over in the 
rocking-chair. 



THE MOLLUSC ti% 

Tom. 
The only comfortable chair in that room. 

Miss Egberts. 
Oh, don't say that. Then I called Mr. Bax- 
ter ; when he came, she gripped his hand and 
besought him never to leave her. I was going 
to leave them alone together, when she gripped 
my hand and besought me never to leave her 
either. 

Tom. 
Did you promise ? 

Miss Egberts. 
Of course. I thought she was dying. 

Tgm. 
\_Scouting the idea.'] Dying? "What made 
you think she was dying ? 

Miss Egberts. 
She said she was dying. 

Tgm. 
Well, what happened after she gripped you 
both in her death struggles ? 

Miss Egberts. 
We got her to bed, where she has remained 
ever since. 



124 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
And here we are a week later, all four of us 
just where we were, only worse. What's to be 
done? 

Miss Roberts. 
We must go on as we are for the present. 

Tom. 
Impossible ! 

Miss Roberts. 
Till you go. Then Mr. Baxter and I 

Tom. 
More impossible ! 

Miss Roberts. 
{Innocently 7\ Poor Mr. Baxter ; he will miss 
you when you go ; I shall do my best to com- 
fort him. 

Tom. 
That's most impossible. 

Miss Roberts. 
He must have some one to take care of him, 
while his wife is ill. 

Tom. 

You don't really think she has anything the 
matter with her ? 



THE MOLLUSC 12$ 

Miss Egberts. 
I can't imagine any one who is not ill stop- 
ping in bed a week ; it must be so boring. 

Tom. 
To a moUusc there is no pleasure like lying 
in bed feeling strong enough to get up. 

Miss Egberts. 

Bat it paralyzes everything so. Mr. Baxter 
can't go to business ; I never have an hour to 
give to the girls ; they're running wild and for- 
getting the little I ever taught them. I can't 
believe she would cause so much trouble delib- 
erately. 

Tgm. 

Not deliberately, no. It suited Dulcie to be 
ill, so she kept on telling herself that she was 
ill till she thought she was, and if we don't 
look out, she will be. It's all your fault. 

Miss Egberts. 
Oh— how ? 

Tgm. 
You make her so comfortable, she'll never 
recover till you leave her. 

Miss Egberts. 
I've promised never to leave her till she re- 
covers. 



i^ THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
A death-bed promise isn't binding if the 
corpse doesn't die. 

Miss Roberts. 
I don't think you quite understand how 
strongly I feel my obligation to Mrs. Baxter. 
Four years ago I had almost nothing, and no 
home ; she gave me a home ; I can't desert her 
while she is helpless, and tells me twenty times 
a day how much she needs me. 

Tom. 
She takes advantage of your old-fashioned 
conscience. 

Miss Egberts. 
I wish she would have a doctor. 

Tom. 
[ With determination.'] She shall have me. 

Miss Roberts. 
But suppose you treat her for moUuscr}?^, and 
you find out she has a real illness — think how 
dreadful you would feel. 

Tom. 
That's what I've been thinking. That's why 
I've been sitting still doing nothing for a week. 
I do believe I'm turning into a mollusc again. 



THE MOLLUSC 12/ 

It's in the air. The house is permeated with 
moUu scalar microbes. I'll find out what is the 
matter with Dulcie to-day ; if it's molluscry I'll 
treat her for it myself, and if she's ill she shall 
go to a hospital. 

Miss Egberts. 
\Going to the hottom of tJie stairs.'] I think I 
hear her coming down-stairs. Yes, here she is. 
Don't be unkind to her. 

Tom. 
How is one to treat such a woman ? I've 
tried kindness — I've tried roughness — I've tried 
keeping my temper — I've tried losing it — I've 
tried the serious tack — and the frivolous tack — 
there isn't anything else. \_As Mr. and Mrs. 
Baxter appear.] Oh ! for heaven's sake look 
at this ! 

[He takes his paper and sits down, ignor- 
ing them both. Mr. Baxter is carry- 
ing Mrs. Baxter m his arms. Mrs. 
Baxter is charniingly dressed as an 
invalid, in a peignoir and cap with a 
how. She appears to he m the hest of 
health, hut behaves languidly. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{As Mr. Baxter carries her doion the stairs.] 
Take care of the stairs, Dick. Thank you, 
dai'ling ! How kind you are to me. [I^oda 



128 THE MOLLUSC 

and smiles to Miss Egberts.] Dear Miss Rob- 
erts ! [To Mr. Baxter.] I think you'd bet- 
ter put me down, dear — I feel you're giving 
way. \_Be lays her on the sofa. Miss Roberts 
arranges the cushions hehind her head.'] Thank 
you — just a little higher with the pillows ; and 
mind you tuck up my toes. [Miss Roberts 
2)uts some wraps over her — she nods and smiles 
at Tom.] And what have you been doing all 
this week, Tom ? 

Tom. 

\_Gruffly, without looking tip.'] Mollusking. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Laughs and shakes her hand playfully at 
Tom.] How amusing Tom is. I don't under- 
stand half his jokes. [She sinks hack on her 
cushions with a little ga^p).] Oh, dear, how it 
tires me to come down stairs. I wonder if I 
ought to have made the effort. 

[Tom laughs harshly. 

Mr. Baxter. 

[Reprovingly.'] Tom ! 

[Miss Roberts also looks reprovingly 
at Tom. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Have you no reverence for the sick ? 



THE MOLLUSC 1 29 

Tom. 
You make me sick. 

Mes. Baxter. 
Miss Roberts, will you give me my salts, 
please ? 

Miss Egberts. 
They're on the table beside you, Mrs. Baxter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Hand them to me, please. [Miss Roberts 
picks up the salts where they stand within easy 
reach of Mrs. Baxter if she would only stretch 
out her hand. Mr. Baxter makes an attempt 
to get the salts.'] Not you, Dick ; you stay this 
side, and hold them to my nose. The bottle is 
so heavy. [Miss Roberts gives the salts to 
Mrs. Baxter, who gives them to Mr. Baxter, 
who holds them to Mrs. Baxter's nose.] De- 
licious ! 

Tom. 

[^Rising quickly and going towa/rds Mrs. 
Baxter.] Let me hold it to your nose. I'll 
make it delicious. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[^Briskly.] No, thank you; take it away, 
Miss Roberts. I've had all I want. 

[^She giwes the hottle to Miss Roberts. 



I30 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 
I thought as much. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Feehly^ My fan. 

Mr. Baxter. 

\A.nxiouslyi\ A fan, Miss Eoberts — a fan! 
[Miss Roberts takes a fan and gives it 
to Mr. Baxter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Is there another fan ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
[Anxiously.'] Another fan, Miss Roberts — 
another fan! 

[Miss Roberts gets another fan. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
If you could make the slightest little ruffle 
of wind on my right temple. 

[Miss Roberts stands gently fanning 
Mrs. Baxter's right temple. Mr. 
Baxter also fans her. Tom twists 
his newsjpaper into a fan. 

Tom. 
"Would you like a ruffle of wind on your left 
temple ? 



THE MOLLUSC I31 

Mrs. Baxter. 

{Briskly^ No, no — no more fans — take them 
all away — I'm catching cold. [Miss Roberts 
takes the fan from Mr. Baxter and lays hoth 
fans on the table. Mrs. Baxter smiles feebly 
at Mr. Baxter and Miss Roberts. Tom goes 
bach to his chair and sits7\ My dear kind 
nurses ! 

Miss Roberts. 

Is there anything else I can do for you ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
No, thank you. {They turn away.'] Yes, 
hold my hand. [Miss Roberts holds her hand. 
Then to Mr. Baxter.] And you hold this 
one. 

[Mr. Baxter holds Mrs. Baxter's 
other hand. She closes her 



Tom. 
Would you like your feet held ? 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Holding up his hands to silence ToM.] 
Hush, she's trying to sleep. 

Tom. 
{Going to her says in a hoarse whisper.'] 
Shall I sing you to sleep ? 

[Mr. Baxter pushes Tom away. Tom 
resists. 



132 THE MOLLUSC 

Mr. Baxter. 

Come away — she'll be better soon. {They 
learn her.] Oh, Tom, if you knew how I blame 
myself for this ; it's all through me she's been 
brought so low; ever since the day she caught 
me comforting Miss Roberts. How she must 
have suffered, and she's been so sweet about it. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Opens her eyes.] I don't feel any better 
since I came down-stairs. 

[Miss Roberts comes back to the sofa. 

Mr. Baxter. 
I wish you'd see a doctor. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
As if a country doctor could diagnose me. 

Tom. 
Have a baronet from London. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Later on, perhaps, unless I get well vrithout. 

Tom. 
Then you do intend to recover ? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
"We hope, with care, that I may be able to 
get up and go about as usual in a few weeks' 
time. 



THE MOLLUSC 1 33 

Tom. 

When I've gone back to Colorado? \Re 
pushes Mr. Baxter out of the way and ap- 
proaches Mrs. Baxter.] I guess you'd be 
very much obliged to me if I cured you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Speaking rapidly and with sv/rprising en- 
ergy.'] Yes, Tom, of course I should. But I've 
no confidence in you, and Dr. Ross once said a 
doctor could do nothing for a patient who had 
no confidence in him. [Smiling at Tom.] I'm 
so sorry, Tom ; I wish I had confidence m you. 

Tom. 
I have confidence in myself enough for two. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Dr. Ross said that wasn't at all the same 
thing. I wish you'd stand farther off; you 
make it so airless when you come so close. 

[She wa^es him off with her hand. 

Tom. 
I'm not going to touch you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Relieved^ Oh, well, that's another matter. 
I thought you were going to force me up. Try 



134 THE MOLLUSC 

to rather. Do what you like, as long as you 
don't touch me or make me drink anything I 
don't like. I mean that I ought not to have. 

Me. Baxter. 
I wish we could think of some way to make 
our darling better. 

Tom. 
I've heard of people who couldn't get up 
having their beds set on fire. 

\He picks up a hox of matches and goes 
towards Mrs. Baxter. Mr. Baxter 
ru7is excitedly towards her to shield her. 

Mr. Baxter. 
No, Tom— Miss Eoberts ! 

[Miss Roberts also attempts to shield 
Mrs. Baxter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Talcing a hand of Mr. Baxter and a hand 
of Miss Roberts — serenely.'] My dear ones, 
he doesn't understand — he wouldn't really do it. 

Tom. 
"Wouldn't he ? \Heputs the snatches hack. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
To show him I'm not afraid, leave me alone 
with him. 



THE MOLLUSC 135 

Tom. 
Going to try and get round me, too ? That's 
no good. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

{Affectionately to Me. Baxter and Miss 
Egberts.] You need a rest, I'm sure — both 
of you. Miss Roberts, will you go to the li- 
brary for me, and change my book ? 

Miss Roberts. 
With pleasure. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Bring me something that won't tax my brain. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Soothingly.'] Yes, yes, something trashy — 
very well. [She goes out. 

Mr. Baxter. 
[Impulsively.'] I need a walk too. I'll go 
with Miss Roberts. [About to follow her. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Quickly pulling him hack.] No, you won't, 
Dick. I want you to go up-stairs and move my 
furniture. The wash-stand gets all the sun, so I 
want the bed where the wash-stand is, and the 
wash-stand where the bed is. I wouldn't trouble 
you, dear, but I don't like to ask the servants 
to push such heavy weights. 



136 THE MOLLUSC 

Mr. Baxter. 

I'll do anything, dear, to make you more 
comfortable. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Do it quietly, so that I shan't be disturbed by 
the noise as I lie here. {Closes her eyes. 

Mr. Baxter. 
Darling. 

\He hisses her tenderly on the hrow, then 
tiptoes to the stairs motioning ToM to 
keep quiet. Tom stamps heavily on 
the ground with hoth feet. Mr. Bax- 
ter, startled, signs to ToM to keep 
quiet ; then goes out. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Smiling and murmuring.] Dear Dick I 

Tom. 
Poor Dick ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Plaintively.'] Poor Dulcie ! 

Tom. 

Look here, Dulciebella, it's no use trying to 
get round me. I know you. I've seen you 



THE MOLLUSC 1 3/ 

grow up. Why, even in your cradle you'd lie 
by the hour, gaping at the flies, as if the world 
contained nothing more important. I used to 
tickle you, to try and give you a new interest 
in life, but you never disturbed yourself till 
bottle time. And afterwards; don't I know 
every ruse by which you'd make other people 
run about, when you thought you were playing 
tennis, standing on the front line, tipping at any 
ball that came near enough for you to spoil — 
\]ie thumps the cushions] and then taking all the 
credit if your partner won the set. \_Again he 
thumps the cushions. Each time Mes. Baxter 
looks startled and attempts to draw them from 
him.] And if a ball was lost, would you help 
to look for it ? [Tom gesticulates — Mes. Bax- 
ter watches him in alarm.] Not you. You'd 
pretend you didn't see where it went. Those 
were the germs of muUuscry in infancy — and 
this is the logical conclusion — you lying there 
with a bow in your cap — \he jUcks her cap with 
his hand] having your hands held. 

Mes. Baxtee. 

{In an injured tone.] You have no natural 
affection. 

Tom. 

I've a solid, healthy, brotherly affection for 
you, without a spark of romance. 



138 THE MOLLUSC 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Other people are much kinder to me than 
you are. 

Tom. 

Other people only notice that you look pretty 
and interesting lying there — they wouldn't feel 

so sorry for you if you were ugly [Mrs. 

Baxter smiles.'] You know that ; that's why 
you stuck that bow in your bonnet. [He flicks 
her cwp again.] You can't fool me. 

[Moves away. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Sweetly yet maliciously.] No, dear, I saw 
that the morning you made me do the flowers. 

Tom. 

[Exasperated at the remembrance of his fail- 
ure.] Get up ! [Thumps the table. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I can't get up. 

Tom. 

Lots of people think every morning that they 
can't get up, but they do. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Lots of people do lots of things I don't. 



THE MOLLUSC 130 

Tom. 
How you can go on like this after what you 
saw — Dick and Miss Roberts a week ago — after 
the warning 1 gave you then. I thought the 
fundamental instinct in any woman was self- 
preservation, and that she would make every 
effort to keep her husband by her. You don't 
seem to care — to indulge your moUuscry you 
throw those two more and more together. 

Mes. Baxter. 
I don't see how you make that out. 

Tom. 
There they are, both spending the whole of 
their time waiting on you. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
In turns — never together — and I always have 
one or the other with me. 

Tom. 

{Takvng it all in, he laiighs omd sa/ys with ad- 
miration OMd astonishment.'] Oh ! Oh 1 I see. 
Lie still, hold them both to you and hold them 
apart. That's clever. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Tour way was to pack Miss Roberts off ; the 
result would have been that Dick would be 



I40 THE MOLLUSC 

sorry for her and blame me. My way, Dick is 
sorry for me, and blames himself, as long as 
Miss Roberts is here to remind him. 

Tom. 
You can't keep this game up forever. 

Mks. Baxter. 

\_Com;placently.'] When I feel comfortable in 
my mind that the danger has quite blown 
over [She suddenly Temembers she is giv- 
ing herself away too much.] Oh, but Tom, I 
hope you don't think I planned all this like a 
plot, and got ill on purpose ? 

Tom. 

Who knows ? It may have been a plot, or 
suggestions may have arisen like bubbles in the 
subconscious caverns of your mollusc nature. 

Mrs. Baxter. 

[Ofended.'] It was bubbles. 

Tom. 

You don't know which it was any more than 
anybody else. Think what this means for the 
others — there's your husband growing ill with 
anxiety, neglecting his business — your children 
running wild when they ought to be at school 
— Miss Roberts wasting her life in drudgery. 



THE MOLLUSC 141 

All of them sacrificed so that you may lie back 
and keep things as they are. But you can't 
keep things as they are ; they'll get worse, un- 
less you get on to yourself and buck up. It's 
that, or the break up of your home. Now Miss 
Roberts' presence in the house has ceased to be 
a danger — [Mks. Baxter smiles] for the mo- 
ment. But you wait ! Wait till this invalid 
game is no longer a novelty, and Dick grows 
tired of being on his best behaviour — or wait 
till he finds himself in some trouble of his own, 
then see what happens. He won't turn to you, 
he'll spare you — he'll turn to his friend, his 
companion, the woman he has come to rely on 
— because you shirked your duties on to her, 
and pushed her into your place. And there 
you'll be left, lying, out of it, a cypher in your 
own home. 

Mes. Baxter. 

[Pleascmtly.] Do you know, Tom, I some- 
times think you would have made a magnificent 
public speaker. 

[Tom is cmgry. He conveys to the audi- 
ence hy his manner in the next part of 
the scene that he is trying a change of 
tactics. He sits. 

Tom. 
I wonder where those two are now ? 



142 THE MOLLUSC 

Mks. Baxter. 
Miss Roberts has gone to the library, and 
Dick is up-stairs moving my furniture. 

Tom. 
\Gazing up at tJie ceiling.'] I haven't heard 
any noise of furniture being moved about. 

Mes. Baxtee. 
\Smiling.'\ I asked him to do it quietly. 

Tom. 
Miss Roberts has had more than time to go 
to the library and back. 

Mes. Baxter. 
{^Growing uneasy and sitting up.] You 
don't think he's gone too ? 

Tom. 
{^In an offhand way.] That's M^hat I should 
do. Pretend to you I was going up-stairs to 
move furniture, and I should move out after 
her. 

Mrs. Baxtee. 
It's the first time I've let them out of my 
si^ht together since [^She sits holt up- 
right] Go and see if they're coming. 

[She points to the window. 



THE MOLLUSC I43 

Tom. 
They'd be careful not to be seen from this 
window. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
\Excitedly!\ They may be in the arbour. 

Tom. 
It's a very good place. 

Mes. Baxter. 
Go and look. 

Tom. 
I won't. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Then I wiU ! 

\She springs off the couch andruns towm'ds 
the window. 

Tom. 
I thought I should make you get up. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Brought suddenly to realize what she his 
done.] Oh ! 

Tom. 
Now that you are up, better go and look in 
the arbour. 



144 THE MOLLUSC 

Mes. Baxter. 
If I do catch them again, of course there will 
be only one thing for me to do. 

Tom. 
What's that? 

Mrs. Baxter. 
The girls and I must come out and rough it 
with you in Colorado. 

\81ie goes out through tlie wmdow. 

Tom. 
[Protesting vehemently.] No, you don't ! I 
won't have that ! Not at any price. There's 
no room for you in Colorado. Oh, dear ! What 
a dreadful thought ! [Miss Koberts comes m 
wearing her hat aiui carrying the library hook 
in her hand.'] Thank goodness, they were not 
in the arbour. 

Miss Roberts. 
What? 

Tom. 
Oh, never mind, never mind. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Surprised at not seeing Mrs. BaxteB on the 
oottch.] Why, where is she ? 



THE MOLLUSC 1 45 

Tom. 
Gone for a chase round the garden. 

Miss Egberts. 
A chase ? 

Tom. 

A wild goose chase. Leave her alone— she 
needs; exercise. You see I was right ; she was 
moll asking. 

Miss Eoberts. 

And she wasn't really ill ? 

Tom. 
\<^uiGldy^, Now seize this opportunity to 
give her notice. Have a plan. Know where 
you're going to or we shall have — " Dear Miss 
Eoberts — stay with us till you find a place " — 
and the whole thing over again. 

Miss Egberts. 
{TakiTig off her hat, says thoughtfully.'] I 
don't know where I can go at a moment's no- 
tice. I suppose you don't actually know of any 
one in Colorado who wants a governess ? 

Tom. 
No, I can't say I do. 

Miss Egberts. 
Then I suppose it must be the Governesses' 
Home. 



146 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 

{Kindly^ "We shall hear from you from time 
to time, I hope ? 

Miss Robeets. 
{Pleased?!^ Oh, yes, if you wish to. 

Tom. 
You'll write sometimes — [Miss Roberts 

looks up hopefully. But when he says " to my 
sister^'' she is disappointed'^ to my sister ? 

Miss Roberts. 
{^Disappointed.'] Oh, yes. 

Tom. 
And in that way I shall hear of you. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Sadly.] If you remember to ask. But peo- 
ple so soon forget, don't they ? 

Tom. 
I shan't forget. I don't want you to forget 
me. 

Miss Roberts. 
It won't make much difference to you in 
Colorado whether you're remembered or for- 
gotten by me. 



the mollusc 1 47 

Tom. 
I like to know there are people here and there 
in the world who care what happens to me. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Faltering.] That's something, isn't it ? 

Tom. 
It's a real thing to a man who lives out of 
his own country ; we spend a lot of time just 
thinking of the folks at home. 

Miss Roberts. 
Do you ? 

Tom, 

[Looks at her face.] How young you are — 
there isn't a line in 3'-our face. [She smiles at 
him.] You will let me hear how you get on ? 

[Moves away. 

Miss Roberts. 
[Disappointed.] If there's anything to tell. 
Some people have no history. 

Tom. 
Yours hasn't begun yet — your life is all be- 
fore you. 

Miss Roberts. 
A governess's life isn't much, 



148 the mollusc 

Tom. 

You won't always be a governess. You'll 
marry a young man, I suppose. I hope he'll 
be worthy of you. 

Miss Roberts. 

{Wistfully^ Would he have to be young 
for that ? 

Tom. 

It's natural ; I suppose it's right — anyway it 
can't be helped. A man doesn't realize that 
he's growing old with the rest of the world ; he 
notices that his friends are. He can't see him- 
self — so he doesn't notice that he, too — he 
gets a shock now and then — but . . . well, 
then he gets busy about something else and 
forgets. 

Miss Robeets. 
Forgets ? 

Tom. 

Or tries to. I almost wish I'd never come to 
England. It was easier out there to get busy 
and forget. 

Miss Roberts. 

You'll find that easy enough when you go 
back. 



THE MOLLUSC I49 

Tom. 
\Shahing his headJ] Too much has hap- 
pened; more than I can forget. But I must 
buck up because I have to be jolly as a duty to 
my neighbours, and then your letters — they'll 
cheer me. And when that inevitable letter 
arrives to tell me you've found happiness, I 
shall send you my kindest thoughts and best 
wishes, and try not to curse the young devil 
whoever he is. So you see we can always be 
friends, can't we ? In spite of the blunder I 
jnade a week ago. Don't quite forget me — 
[taking her hands OAfid shaking them'] when he 
comes along. 

[He goes and sits on the couch discon- 
solately. 

M18S Roberts. 
Shall I tell you something ? 

Tom. 
What? 

Miss Roberts. 
Oh, no — I can't ! 

Tom. 
You must now you've begun. 

Miss Roberts. 
I daren't. 



ISO THE MOLLUSC . 

Tom. 
I want you to. 

Miss Kobeets. 
Well, don't look at me. 

Tom. 
I'm ready. 

[He looks at her^ and then t\i/)-ns his hack 
to her. 

^Miss Egberts. 
Suppose there was a girl, quite young, and 
not bad looking, and she knew that her chief value 
as a person was her looks and her youth, and a 
man — oh, I don't know how to say this 

Tom. 
I'm not looking. 

Miss Roberts. 
He had great value as a person. He was kind 
and sensible, and brave, and he had done things. 
He wasn't young, but he couldn't have lived 
and still had a smooth face, so she liked him all 
the better for not having a smooth face — his 
face meant things to a girl, and if he wanted to 
give her so much — such great things — don't you 
think she'd be proud to give him her one little 
possession, her looks and her youth ? 



THE MOLLUSC 151 

Tom. 
You don't mean us ? \He turns to her. 

Miss Egberts. 

\Overcome with, confusion^ Don't look at 
me. I'm ashamed. {Covers her face with her 
hands. Tom goes to her., gently draws her hands 
from her face and' holds them hath in his.'] I 
wouldn't have dared to tell you only I couldn't 
let you go on thinking what you were thinking. 
"When you asked me to marry you a week ago 
and I said " No " — it was only because I was 
so hurt — my pride was hurt and I thought — oh, 
never mind now — I wanted to say " Yes " all 
the time. 

Tom. 

{Looking at her and saying to himself as if 
he scarcely helieved it.'] I am really going to 
take her with me to Colorado. 

{Kisses her. After a slight pause, Mr. 
Baxter enters lirnping painfully. 

Mr. Baxter. 

I've sprained my ankle — moving that wash- 
stand. 

Tom. 

Oh, my poor old chap — what can we do for 
you? 



152 THE MOLLUSC 

Miss Egberts. 
You ought to have some lint and a bandage. 
\To Tom.] You'll find it in a cupboard in the 
spare room — your room. 

Tom. 
All right — hold on while I go and get it. 
^le puts Mr. Baxter's hand on the 
jpost of the stairs ; then he goes out. 

Miss Koberts. 
Hold on to me, Mr, Baxter. 

\She supports him. Mrs. Baxter enters 
from the garden without seeing Mr. 
Baxter and Miss Koberts. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
They're not in the arbour. {Catching sight 
of them.'] What again ? 

Miss Egberts. 
He's sprained his ankle. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{Rushing to him.] Sprained his ankle — oh, 
my poor Dick ! 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Looking surprised at Mrs. Baxter.] What, 
you up — running about ? 



THE MOLLUSC 153 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I've taken a sudden turn for the better. 

Mr. Baxter. 
{Mournfully^ I wish you'd taken it a bit 
sooner ; making me move that damned old wash- 
stand. {Then suddenly^ Oh, my foot ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Let me help you to my couch. 

[Tom comes in with handagea. 

Mr. Baxter. 
You wouldn't know how. {Pushes her 
away. Mrs. Baxter gives an exclamation of 
horro7'. Turning to Miss Roberts.] Miss 
Roberts ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Let me! 

Mr. Baxter. 
No, no— not now. {As Miss Roberts as- 
sists him to the sofa.] You see, she's used to 
helping people, and you're not. 

[Miss Roberts kneels and begins to unr 
tie his shoe-lace. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
{To Tom.] He refuses my help. 



iS4 THE MOLLUSC 

Tom. 

He turns to the woman he has come to rely 
on. Kow is your chance. Seize it ; you may 
never get another. 

Me. Baxter. 
I want a pillow for my foot. 

Miss Kobeets. 
\Rising7\ A pillow for your foot ? 

Tom. 
\To Mes. Baxtee.] Go on — go on— get it. 

Mes, Baxtee. 

\Itunning for the pillow^ A pillow for his 
foot. \8he anticipates Miss Robeets, snatches 
the pillow and hririgs it to Me. Baxtee, the7i 
looking indignantly at Miss Roberts she raises 
Me. Baxtee's sprained foot with one hand as 
she places the pillow under it with the other. 
Me. Baxtee utters a yell of pain.'] Oh, my 
poor Dick, I'm so sorry. Did I hurt you ? 

Me. Baxtee. 

{LooMng at her in wonder.] Why, Dulcie, 
but it seems all wrong for me to be lying here, 
while you wait on me. 



THE MOLLUSC 155 

Mrs. Baxter. 
I want you to rely on me, dear, so that when 
you're in trouble, you'll turn to me. What can 
I do for your poor foot ? We must get some — 
some 

Tom. 

Bandages. 

{TTiTowhig hamdages to Mrs. Baxter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Yes, and some — some arnica. Miss Eoberts 
never thought of arnica. 

Miss Roberts. 
I'll go and look for it, 

\SIie Tnakes a slight movement. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Pleasa/ntly.] Don't trouble, Miss Roberts, 
I will go myself directly. [T/wn to Mr. Bax- 
ter.] You know, dear, we must learn to do 
without Miss Roberts. 

Tom. 
You'll have to. She's coming back to Colo- 
rado with me. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
[Gohig to Miss Roberts.] Tom, this is 
news. Dear Miss Roberts, I'm so glad. 



156 THE MOLLUSC 

Mr. Baxtee. 

[Holding out his hand to Tom.] So am I, 

[Tom shakes hands with Mr. Baxter. 

Mrs. Baxter. 
But oh, how we shall miss you. 

Miss Koberts. 
I hope I'm not being selfish ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 

Oh, no, no, dear. I'm glad you're going to 
make Tom happy. We shall do very well here ; 
it's high time the children went to school. I've 
been thinking about it for a long time. [She 
kneels hy Mr. Baxter.] And now that I'm so 
much better, I shall be able to do more for my 
husband, play chess with him — go walks with 

him Tom shall never have another chance 

to call me a mollusc. 

Tom. 
Bravo ! Bravo ! 

Mr. Baxter. 
Dulcie ! 

Mrs. Baxter. 
Dearest ! 



THE MOLLUSC 1 57 

Miss Koberts. 
\To Tom.] You've worked a miracle ! 

Tom. 
[Quietly to Miss Koberts.] Were those 
miracles permanent cures ? [/Shakes his /lead.] 
We're never told ! We're never told ! 



THE END 






TUG MAGISTRATE ^^^*^® ^^ Three Acts. Twelve males, four 
I1U« lUAUli^inAIl^ females. Costumes, modem; scenery, all 
interior. Plays two hours and a half. 

THE NOTORIODS MRS. EBBSMIII »— ,'e°,.r,Lr. 

Costumes, modem ; scenery, all interiors. Plays a full evening. 

THE PROFLIGATE ^^y^^o^^-^cts. seven males, Ave females. 
A 1114 inviMUHii^ Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate; 
costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. 

THE SCHOOLMISTRESS FarceinThreeActs.Ninemales,Beven 
females. Costumes, modem; scenery, 
three interiors. Plays a fall evening. 

TOE SECOND MRS. TANQDERAY ^IXZ^L X 

tnmes, modem ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. 

SWEET LAVENDER ^^^"'^^y *° Three Acts. Seven males, four 
t^TTi^Lii Li iLiauun. fgma,les. Scene, a single interior; costumes, 
modem. Plays a full evening. 

THE TIMES ^**™®**y *° ^^^^ ■^^^^- ®** males, seven females. 
Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays a 
full evening. 

THE WEAKER SEX ^<'™®<'y '" Three Acts. Eight males, eight 
females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, two 
interiors. Plays a full evening. 

A TOE WITHOUT A SHUE z:^i^zz.^z.j::::. 

modem ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttt ^^. 'Bafeer S, Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



d)e William Wm. 
of Paps 



^titty 15 Centjf <!Bacf) 




'I III Mil 
014 677 579 2 % 




foui 
scenery, va- 



A^ Vnil I MiV IT Comedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males 
AD IVW tflAlf II females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenei 
ried. Plays a full evening. 

rAMIlIF Drama in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. Cos- 
vAullL(i<C tunies, modern ; scenery, varied. Plays a full evening. 

INAAMAff Play i^ Fi-ve Acts. Thirteen males, three females. 
II^UUITIAIV Scenery varied ; costumes, Greek. Plays a full evening. 

MADV ^TIIAKT Tragedy in Five Acts. Thirteen males, four fe- 
OlAlVl JlUAnl niales, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of the 
period ; scenery, varied and elaborate. Plays a full evening. 

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE I'^^Jl^.f^m'^Ts: SSZS 

picturesque ; scenery varied. Plays a full evening. 

DirnPI IFII ^^y ^^ ^i^« -A-«t8. Fifteen males, two females. Scen- 
AlVltiiLtll^U ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays a full 
evening. 

THF ftlVAI^ Comedy in Five Acts. Nine males, five females. 
1 lie ul T ALiJ Scenery varied ; costumes of the period. Plays a 
full evening. 

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER ^^A^ ffr^'.i^%eSS'Z 

ried ; costumes of the period. Plays a full evening. 

TWELFTH NIGHT; OR, WHAT YOD WILL iX'^en^mK 

three females. Costumes, picturesque ; scenery, varied. Plays a 
full evening. 



Sent prepaid on receipt of price by 

Walttt ^^. I3afeet s, Company 

No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




014 677 579 2 



